By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Yao Zhang, a Quebec YouTuber with 175,000 subscribers, faces an intimidation campaign by the Chinese government due to her criticism of the PRC. This campaign includes the circulation of sexually explicit AI-generated images of her, which Global Affairs Canada has attributed to the PRC’s “spamouflage” tactics. Zhang has also been doxed and received death threats, with her family in China facing pressure from authorities. Despite the risks and loneliness, Zhang continues to speak out, highlighting the real and growing threat of transnational repression.
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The Chinese government circulated sexually explicit deepfakes of dissident Yao Zhang according to the Government of Canada, and that’s a pretty heavy accusation to start with. The claim, made by the Canadian government, is that the Chinese government orchestrated a campaign using AI-generated sexually explicit images of Yao Zhang, a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party. This kind of tactic, if true, represents a disturbing escalation in the already tense relationship between China and its critics, especially those residing abroad. It’s a particularly nasty form of political attack, designed not only to discredit but also to humiliate and potentially silence the targeted individual.
If you were to ask Yao Zhang herself, she would likely say that this is just another example of the CCP’s tactics to silence dissent, and frankly, she has a point. She directly links these attacks to a fear of her ideas and what she represents, suggesting the CCP uses these methods because they cannot win in a fair debate. She makes the point that the generation of this sort of pornographic material is a tactic of the CCP to shut down any voice raised against them. It’s about undermining their credibility and, in the process, deterring others from speaking out against the regime. She says that this is one of many fantasies the Chinese state produces about dissident women.
The implications of such actions are far-reaching. It speaks to a level of ruthlessness and disregard for human rights that is extremely concerning. It also raises questions about the use of sophisticated technology for political purposes, especially the potential for deepfakes to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion. It’s reminiscent of the kind of tactics used against other public figures. People mention figures like AOC, Greta Thunberg, and Taylor Swift, and how they were similarly targeted with coordinated attacks that are meant to do the same thing: destroy someone’s reputation.
The Canadian government’s statement, specifically, attributed this campaign to the PRC with “high confidence.” Now, the information available is a press release, and the initial reaction of some is to look for hard evidence, and that’s a fair response. It’s natural to be skeptical and to want to see proof beyond a press release, especially when dealing with accusations of this nature. The nature of these attacks is to cast doubt, which can easily be done, by those who are the target of the accusation.
There are differing opinions on the trustworthiness of the source. Some might argue that the Canadian government, like any government, has its own interests and may be influenced by political considerations. Also, you have to consider that Canada needs China as a trade ally. One thing that does seem to be generally agreed upon is that there’s a propaganda war going on.
It’s also worth noting the broader context. There’s a widespread recognition of the Chinese government’s aggressive tactics, including against the Chinese diaspora. There are multiple warnings from intelligence agencies around the world, as well as accounts from those who have faced persecution in China. This isn’t a one-off accusation; it’s part of a pattern of behavior. However, it’s also worth pointing out that there are opinions where people feel that comparing the governments of China and the United States, for example, is inherently biased. The U.S. and other nations have had their own historical issues and have been accused of similar things.
Ultimately, the accusations are serious. The use of deepfakes and the targeting of individuals in this way raises fundamental questions about freedom of expression, digital security, and the ethics of international relations. It’s important to remember that such accusations can be used to drive up anti-China sentiment. The key is to be informed, to look at the evidence, and to consider the motivations of all parties involved.