State actor funded AI bot network targeting Sweden

A state actor paid an East Asian provider to operate an AI-driven bot network that sought to influence Sweden, according to a report by Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency obtained by SVT.

The agency calls the network “Holiday”. About 1,200 accounts on the platform X were used during 2025 and 2026 to carry out undue information influence against Sweden and several other countries. The accounts published more than 50,000 posts, comments and shares, with the aim of deepening polarisation in Swedish society.

Some accounts promoted the idea that immigrants should return to their countries of origin and that public service media should be shut down. The network also spread opposing views on those issues.

The agency named the network “Holiday” because the accounts also posted about football and holidays, apparently to appear human. But the accounts were not operated by real people. Accounts using common names such as Peter, Markus and Eva were reportedly created by a provider in East Asia, which the agency says was financed by a state actor.

Several accounts had previously used different names and posted in other languages for other target audiences, including people in Taiwan. The agency said the accounts may previously have been used by the provider in other campaigns.

The network was primarily active in autumn 2025 and spring 2026 before it was shut down. Karin Lönnheden, the agency’s chief operating officer, said it was therefore not directly linked to Sweden’s autumn 2026 election.

She said the agency considered it important to publish information about the network because the election is approaching, adding that awareness of such operations would be useful for Swedish voters.