The CCP’s Influence: From YouTube to Video Games and AI

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Mar 7, 2025 - 10:55 Updated: Mar 7, 2025 - 03:27
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The CCP’s Influence: From YouTube to Video Games and AI

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Commentary

From artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots that refuse to discuss Xi Jinping’s shortcomings to video games banning the name “Winnie the Pooh,” Beijing’s propaganda machine is in full gear, extending its reach into mainstream and suburban living rooms.

In 2024 and 2025, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has intensified its global propaganda efforts, leveraging advanced technologies and strategic networks to spread pro-Beijing narratives and counter all criticism. These initiatives span a variety of online tools, including AI chatbots, video games, and YouTube, while also reaching local communities in an effort to shape U.S. public opinion and influence the outcome of U.S. elections.

DeepSeek, a new AI assistant developed by the Chinese, has raised concerns about amplifying CCP propaganda and disinformation. Researchers have found that the chatbot’s responses often align with the Party’s official narratives, reflecting the CCP’s views on sensitive issues like the Tiananmen Square massacre, the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, and Taiwan’s sovereignty.

For instance, when asked about Tiananmen Square, DeepSeek avoided mentioning the 1989 atrocity committed against pro-democracy protesters and described the square as a symbol of China’s progress under the CCP. Similarly, it praised Xi indirectly and claimed that the Uyghurs enjoyed full rights, dismissing Western criticisms of Beijing’s abuses in Xinjiang. DeepSeek also echoed the CCP’s stance on Taiwan, calling the island an “inalienable part” of China.

Researchers found that DeepSeek’s responses aligned with China’s official narratives 80 percent of the time, with a third of its answers containing false claims. This is part of broader Chinese efforts to leverage AI-driven platforms for global influence, similar to the disinformation campaigns linked to TikTok. In a recent “Spamouflage” case, Chinese-linked accounts used OpenAI’s ChatGPT to generate anti-U.S. propaganda, creating and funding articles in prominent Latin American newspapers to influence public opinion. Fortunately, these accounts were banned last month.

Online games have also become a platform for CCP propaganda. Marvel Rivals, developed by NetEase, quickly became popular, amassing more than 20 million players at launch and receiving positive feedback. However, the game has faced criticism for censoring certain phrases in its in-game chat, particularly those related to Chinese politics. Players attempting to use terms like “Winnie the Pooh,“ ”Free Taiwan,“ ”Free Hong Kong,“ ”Tiananmen Square,“ ”1989,“ ”Mao Zedong,“ and ”Wuhan Virus“ are met with a message stating, ”Text contains inappropriate content.”

This censorship reflects the CCP’s strict regulations on politically sensitive topics, including the Tiananmen Square protests and Taiwan’s status. As a Chinese company, NetEase is legally bound to comply with these restrictions, blocking phrases like “Taiwan is a country” and “Free Tibet” to align with CCP directives.

This self-censorship is not unique to Marvel Rivals but follows a broader trend seen in Chinese-operated games. NetEase, like many other companies, prioritizes avoiding conflict with the CCP, which has previously imposed fines and sanctions on companies that fail to comply with censorship laws. The censorship extends beyond the game itself, with similar restrictions found on Marvel Rivals’ Discord server.
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YouTube has become another battleground for freedom of speech against the CCP. Matthew Tye and Winston Sterzel, former YouTubers in China, have criticized YouTube for promoting pro-China, anti-U.S. content while suppressing critical views of the Chinese regime. In 2024, they observed a sharp decline in their video views, which coincided with a change in YouTube’s algorithm that appeared to suppress content critical of China.

Their investigation revealed that videos with pro-China, anti-U.S. titles received significantly more views, suggesting that YouTube was amplifying CCP-aligned narratives while blacklisting channels critical of the CCP. This shift mirrors previous reports of Chinese influence over platforms like YouTube, where content critical of China has been removed at Beijing’s request.

According to Tye, the Chinese regime’s disinformation efforts on YouTube included offering him and Sterzel $2,000 to upload a false video blaming the COVID-19 pandemic on white-tailed deer in the United States. This video, part of a broader disinformation campaign, was later found on multiple Western YouTube channels.

Despite YouTube being banned in China, Beijing continues to use the platform to spread state-approved narratives, particularly on sensitive issues like Taiwan and Xinjiang. YouTube’s algorithmic changes have further aided this censorship, with critical content facing decreased visibility, demonetization, and removal while pro-CCP content flourishes.

Chinese influence and propaganda in the United States have expanded from digital platforms into everyday life, reaching local communities and even influencing elections. Organizations like the Henan Association have been linked to promoting CCP agendas, such as organizing protests against Taiwanese officials. The Henan International Communication Center (Henan ICC) is a key example of China’s growing foreign propaganda efforts, now including local authorities alongside central government control.

With at least 23 provincial-level centers operating as of June 2024, these institutions aim to shape global perceptions on issues like Xinjiang, Taiwan, and China’s policies, using social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—channels blocked in China—to tailor content for specific regions.
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The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security recently reported more than 60 CCP-linked espionage cases between 2021 and 2024 involving the theft of military and trade secrets, as well as cyber espionage targeting American businesses, universities, and critics of China.
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Chinese state media, such as Global Times, have been involved in spreading disinformation, while both covert and overt tactics—like pressuring journalists and using platforms like Xinhua—persist.
The “Spamouflage” or “Dragonbridge“ network grew more aggressive, impersonating U.S. voters and using memes and manipulated content to fuel divisions ahead of the 2024 election.
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Despite these significant efforts, the CCP’s influence appears to be waning. The Henan ICC, for example, has only around 67,500 followers on X since joining the social media platform in November 2022. A Pew Research poll from May 2024 found that 81 percent of Americans view China unfavorably.

Luckily, Americans appear less susceptible to CCP propaganda than in the past. However, the constant messaging across YouTube, AI, video games, and media could still become effective, particularly with younger people. Efforts must be taken to eliminate CCP-linked accounts and curb the CCP’s reach into mainstream and suburban America.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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