China using LinkedIn to recruit potential spies, intelligence agencies warn | Latest Tech News
Chinese spies are using profession web sites like Microsoft-owned LinkedIn to monitor and probably recruit property, US and allied intelligence agencies warned Thursday.
The warning, which was co-signed by each of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance – from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – said China is stepping up efforts to recruit people with direct or oblique access to categorised authorities info.
“China’s military intelligence services are using an increasingly wide array of professional networking sites and online job platforms to target Five Eyes government and military personnel — and anyone with access to classified or privileged information,” the agencies said in the joint bulletin.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a tea ceremony with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their assembly at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 20. via REUTERS
“These actors use an aggressive online recruitment strategy whereby intelligence officers or their affiliates pose as employees of private consultancies, think tanks or human resources firms, and place online job advertisements for foreign policy and defense analysts,” they added.
The “Five Eyes” agencies pointed to navy personnel, security clearance holders, teachers, journalists and assume tank officers as among those who are notably at risk of being focused.
Chinese spies often “post job ads on professional networking platforms and online hiring and freelance ‘gig work’ websites like LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork” as they attempt to make first contact with potential property, officers said.
“Chinese intelligence officers pose as online HR recruiters or consultants who represent fake, but often legitimate looking, ‘cover companies’ and claim to be located in countries other than China,” the bulletin added.
Asked remark, a LinkedIn spokesperson said: “Creating a faux account or misrepresenting your identification is a clear violation of our phrases of service.
“We remain focused on detecting state-sponsored abuse, and will continue to enforce our policies against fake accounts,” the spokesperson added.
“Five Eyes” intelligence agnecies say China is using job boards to goal potential property. Sundry Photography – stock.adobe.com
Representatives for Indeed and Upwork didn’t immediately return requests for remark.
The Chinese embassy in the UK slammed the allegations as “malicious slander.”
“It must be pointed out that the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance is the world’s largest intelligence organization, and its members carry out espionage and theft activities with impunity around the world,” an embassy spokesperson said in a assertion posted online. “They are the real threat to peace-loving countries.”
US officers have long accused China, led by President Xi Jinping, of partaking in clandestine efforts to compromise navy bases and steal mental property – allegations that China has denied.
Last month, the New York Times reported that an aide working for the House Select Committee on China was focused in what was believed to be a recruitment effort linked to Chinese intelligence.
“The Chinese government actively targets Congress and congressional staff as part of a broader influence and intelligence collection effort, frequently using benign-appearing inquiries to get sensitive information related to U.S. defense, supply chains, and economic strategy,” Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar said in a assertion on the incident.
“The Select Committee is a high-priority target due to its investigative and policy work, but so are all other Congressional members and staff. Vigilance is essential and everyone who works for Congress must remain alert to suspicious outreach,” the Michigan Republican added.
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