China’s top anti-espionage authority, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), issued a warning on Friday regarding the potential threat posed by various smart wearable devices, cautioning that they could be utilized as “cyber spies” by foreign intelligence agencies for espionage activities, thereby posing a risk to national security.
According to the official WeChat account of the MSS, when smart wearable devices are connected to smartphones via wireless networks or Bluetooth, foreign cyber spies could exploit vulnerabilities to launch attacks, implanting Trojan horse programs without the user’s knowledge. This could grant the spies control over device functions, such as recording and taking photos, enabling them to surreptitiously collect sensitive information.
Even if disconnected from Bluetooth or wireless networks, implanted Trojan horse programs could automatically activate recording and photographing functions, saving the data in real-time. Upon reconnection to the network, the recorded confidential information may be transferred to external servers.
Furthermore, the MSS highlighted the potential threat posed by some cameras placed in sensitive or classified areas, emphasizing that foreign spy intelligence agencies may deploy disguised and modified special “spy cameras” in vital maritime regions. These cameras could conduct comprehensive monitoring of hydrological, meteorological conditions, and sea surface activities, transmitting collected data to overseas servers. The MSS warned that this could pose a substantial threat to China’s military and marine economic activities.
The MSS urged the general public and relevant business units to be vigilant against the illegal intentions of foreign intelligence agencies seeking to exploit electronic information devices for stealing sensitive information. Individuals were advised to avoid risks by refraining from clicking on unknown links, installing unfamiliar software, or using suspicious devices. Additionally, it recommended the use of isolation cabinets for phones and smart wearables in sensitive areas to prevent potential leakage of confidential information.
The national security authority called on enterprises and units to enhance their awareness and fulfill obligations to safeguard national security. It emphasized the importance of employing various means such as supervision, inspection, risk assessment, and reporting suspicious circumstances to authorities promptly, aiming to improve data security protection and risk monitoring and management capabilities.