China issues caution to its citizens about potential backdoor access in devices, both on land and underwater.
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) has issued a warning about growing threats from foreign espionage agencies targeting China's maritime data. The MSS believes that these agencies are deploying backdoored devices and "special technical devices" secretly in Chinese waters to conduct reconnaissance, monitor maritime activity, and steal oceanographic and ship movement data.
One such incident involves an underwater espionage device that was allegedly found by Chinese fishermen. This device, planted by a foreign country, clandestinely collected hydrological information and naval activity data in the surrounding ocean.
The MSS also accused a certain marine public welfare organization of abusing its role by collecting marine data under false pretenses to aid foreign intelligence efforts against China.
To counter these threats, the MSS is urging Chinese citizens and maritime personnel to increase vigilance about information security risks and to report suspicious devices or activities to authorities. This warning underscores broader concerns about espionage and technological theft in strategic maritime domains that are critical to national security.
The MSS's warning also suggests that foreign powers may try to create backdoors in China's ocean observation sensors for covert data theft. The Ministry does not specify which organization it is referring to, but it is not unusual for China to accuse international organizations of bias and improper activities.
The MSS has made similar claims about foreign espionage activities in the past. In response, the Ministry of State Security has advised against the use of foreign technology products despite the country's routine monitoring of citizens' online activities. The Ministry published a lengthy warning about backdoors in devices and supply chain attacks on software via its WeChat channel on Monday.
In summary, the MSS's warning centers on the use of backdoored and covert underwater devices placed by foreign espionage agencies to spy on China's ocean observation sensors and maritime data, posing a significant national security risk. The Ministry is urging Chinese citizens to educate themselves about information security risks and to be vigilant in reporting their suspicions to authorities.
- The MSS believes that AI and technology, specifically backdoored devices and "special technical devices," are being deployed by foreign espionage agencies to spy on China's ocean observation sensors and maritime data.
- The MSS has accused a certain marine public welfare organization of abusing its role to aid foreign intelligence efforts against China by collecting marine data under false pretenses.
- To counter these threats, the MSS is urging Chinese citizens and maritime personnel to increase vigilance about information security risks, particularly with regards to suspicious devices or activities.
- The MSS's warning also suggests that foreign powers may try to create backdoors in China's ocean observation sensors for covert data theft, potentially in software via supply chain attacks.
