Never before had espionage become so global, so simple, and so massive. That’s why countries like China or Russia have deployed entire armies of spies in the West using seemingly innocuous tools: social media.
Apparently, Chinese spies use online platforms to steal innovations and trade secrets from Western companies. These practices are growing at an alarming rate, according to experts’ warnings.
During his speech at the recent Five Eyes summit held in California, which brought together leaders from the security agencies of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum warned about the unprecedented risk posed by Chinese espionage.
Epic-scale espionage
In statements to the BBC, McCallum stated, “We have witnessed a sustained campaign on a fairly epic scale.” According to MI5, more than 20,000 individuals were contacted through social networking sites like LinkedIn.
“These technologies are at a historic moment where they are beginning to change our world in some fairly fundamental ways, and we know that authoritarian states are laser-focused on the opportunities these technologies can present to them,” he explained.
Chinese companies have also attempted to acquire innovations and technologies developed by British organizations through channels concealed by complex corporate structures, making it not immediately evident to trace the original source of the money.
Artificial intelligence, for example, is one of the fastest-growing and developing areas for China, which could use it to create its own artificial intelligence or interfere in Western politics.
The FBI also expressed its concerns, stating that previously the bureau was opening a new China-related investigation every 12 hours, and currently, there were over 2,000 active cases.
Speaking to the reporters present at the event, FBI Director Chris Way stated, “China has made economic espionage and stealing the work and ideas of others a central component of its national strategy.”
This marks the first publicly held meeting of the Five Eyes alliance, underscoring the gravity of the threat.
