X Claims Chinese Bots Fueled Data Center Backlash
X alleged that a 200,000-account Chinese bot farm, including 200 accounts targeting U.S. data centers, was responsible for recent backlash. A researcher, Darren Linvill from Clemson University, investigated and found a different narrative.
September 1, 2026 – 3:31 pm
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X claimed it identified a Chinese bot farm promoting anti-AI data center sentiment, but a researcher found minimal engagement from the accounts in question.
Linvill, co-director of Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub, analyzed 59 accounts with zero engagement and 90 posts, all from January, using a Clemson platform that retained data from suspended X accounts.
The Posts: Mostly Links and Cartoons
The posts, linked to a capacity auction in PJM, featured AI-generated cartoons depicting data center operators profiting while families struggled with rising electricity bills.
X’s Initial Disclosure
X’s Global Government Affairs account posted a disclosure, identifying the bot farm and its potential manipulation of debate on U.S. AI and energy policy. The post has garnered 3.2 million views.
Omitted Details
Critically, X’s disclosure lacked specifics: no details about China’s involvement, engagement or reach figures, and no account of other activities by the 199,800 remaining accounts.
Previous Report by OpenAI
Some of the posts X highlighted were also present in an OpenAI threat report from June, highlighting a previously identified campaign known as "Data Center Bandwagon."
Linvill’s Perspective
Linvill emphasized the connection between X’s and OpenAI’s findings, stating, "They’re very, very clearly connected. OpenAI identified it back in June."
Texas Governor Disagrees with China’s Influence
Despite the researcher’s findings, Texas Governor Greg Abbott insisted on Fox News that China wasn’t to blame for the data center backlash.