X suspends 13,000 accounts, alleging foreign influence ahead of US midterms

The social media platform X has suspended more than 13,000 accounts related to three suspected foreign influence operations linked to Iran, Russia and China that sought to shape the political debate in the United States. The company announced the suspensions on Wednesday as it outlined measures ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. X said its investigations found the networks used fake accounts to post and amplify political content targeting candidates and public figures “across the political spectrum”. The company said it identified the accounts through “proactive sweeps and investigations” under its rules against spam and coordinated inauthentic behaviour.