Tackling foreign information manipulation and interference @eu_eeas. Previously @Ansip_EU's team @EU_Commission. Also @DigitalEU, @EstonianGovt. Personal views.
Brussels, Belgium
Joined March 2008
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Tauno Tõhk retweeted
1/ AI-generated avatars👤, fake paternity tests⚕️, 'leaked' documents 📄and everything else the CCP tried spamming to manipulate the Taiwan 2024 elections.
⚠️A thread on what @ASPI_org observed and a warning for other democracies this year:
aspistrategist.org.au/as-tai…
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
Hong Kong: The trial opened against media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai under #NationalSecurityLaw charges related to his support for free expression & democracy. 🇪🇺deplores the charges against him + journalists from Apple Daily & is monitoring the trial closely.
europa.eu/!6X9KPT
Information manipulation tactics keep evolving.
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
In 'Shadow play: a pro-China technology and anti-US influence operation thrives on YouTube', @jacintakeast identifies a large, inauthentic influence campaign originating on YouTube and promoting pro-China and anti-US narratives that make novel use of generative artificial intelligence voiceovers.
📕 Read the report ➡️ bit.ly/3v1Pr7V
Also includes elements of information manipulation (attempts to covertly buy media articles and publicly discredit a researcher) #FIMI
Chinese spies ran a far-right Belgian politician as an intelligence asset for more than two years. Read the FT’s joint investigation with Der Spiegel and Le Monde here: on.ft.com/4ap3d4O
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
Building on EU Council’s clear stance that Israel has the right to defend itself in line with international humanitarian law and ensuring the protection of all civilians, I am appalled by the high number of casualties following the bombing by Israel of the Jabalia refugee camp.
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
As we are on the verge of the abyss in the Middle East, I have two humanitarian appeals:
To Hamas, the hostages must be immediately released without conditions.
To Israel, rapid & unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be granted for the sake of the civilians in Gaza.
Foreign information manipulation and interference has been firmly on the agenda in our discussions with Australia 🇦🇺🇪🇺 #FIMI
On Wednesday 11/10 the EU and Australia held their first dedicated Security & Defence Dialogue. Both sides exchanged assessments and coordinated their effort on key issues such as #MaritimeSecurity, cybersecurity and foreign interference and manipulation of information #FIMI
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
I welcome Germany's China strategy, which is an important contribution to our China policy, in line with the EU Council approach.
A robust and realistic approach, based on the goal to pursue constructive and stable EU-China relations.
China hat sich in den letzten Jahren so rasant verändert, wie vielleicht kein anderes Land. Wer #China zuhört, weiß, mit welchem Selbstbewusstsein es die Entwicklung dieses Jahrhunderts prägen wird. Mit der #ChinaStrategie geben wir uns für unsere Beziehungen den Kompass. 1/5
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
The overhaul of the District Council elections is another setback for democracy in Hong Kong. It drastically reduces the number of directly elected seats and eliminates one of Hong Kong’s last remaining democratic features. (1/2)
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
The EU condemns the decision of Hong Kong authorities to issue arrest warrants under the National Security Law for eight pro-democracy activists living outside of Hong Kong. The extra-territorial application of this law is only adding to our existing concerns.
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
It's official: #Estonia has legalised marriage equality. We join other Nordic nations with this historic decision.
I'm proud of my country. We're building a society where everyone’s rights are respected and people can love freely.
The decision will enter into force from 2024.
Australia, Canada, and India's journalists have been ousted from China, a country limiting foreign reporting alongside domestic censorship.
China is second-last in @RSF_inter World Press Freedom Index, only above DPRK. Yet, 🇨🇳 own state-controlled media is expanding globally.
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
The sentencing of #HumanRights lawyer Chang Weiping for 3.5 years is yet another example of China’s crackdown on human rights defenders. Mr Chang was merely advocating for the rule of law and against torture. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
The world will never forget what happened 34 years ago on 4 April 1989 in Beijing 🇨🇳#TiananmenMassacre #TiananmenSquareMassacre The EU will continue advocating for people’s human rights and fundamental freedoms in the world.
China: Today is the 34th anniversary of the crackdown on the Tiananmen Square democracy protests. 🇪🇺remains in full solidarity with those who peacefully defend and promote freedom and human rights across the globe. #June4 #TiananmenSquareMassacre
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
EEAS Deputy Secretary-General @enriquemora_ meets Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui. The two sides discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and ways to promote a just and sustainable peace. More ⤵
europa.eu/!8hvmHH
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
Our new #transnationalrepression (TNR) dataset update reveals that the PRC is responsible for 30% of the 854 direct, physical incidents of TNR we've documented since 2014.
For more information & recommendations for policymakers: freedomhouse.org/report/tran…
Information manipulation goes beyond #disinformation and includes efforts to remove voices from public sphere. Public reports indicate that China-linked actors are doing it systematically.
A case of suppression described by @marijevlaskamp in @volkskrant volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v/2…
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
Estonia has given a big general election win to its center-right government. The party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has pushed the West to send more weapons to Ukraine and impose tough penalties on Russia, finished far ahead of eight other parties. nyti.ms/41OFerd
Tauno Tõhk retweeted
A coordinated foreign influence campaign linked to the Chinese government is using social media to undermine confidence in Australia’s democratic system, according to researchers at @ASPI_org
theguardian.com/australia-ne…
