LinkedIn China Spying Threat Prompts Warning From US, Allies

Source: Slashdot

Warning from the United States and Five Eyes partners

The U.S. and its Five Eyes intelligence partners issued a joint warning (PDF) that Chinese military intelligence services are using LinkedIn and other professional networking sites to recruit people with access to government, military, foreign policy, or sensitive economic information.

“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,” the agencies said.
“China’s military intelligence services ultimately seek to acquire privileged military, political and economic intelligence that can provide China with a strategic and tactical advantage over the Five Eyes.”

Bloomberg reports that China was targeting Five Eyes nationals with security clearance, particularly those working in foreign affairs, security and intelligence, and military personnel—including people stationed in the Asia‑Pacific region. People with more peripheral access to government information, such as academics, journalists, and think‑tank employees, were also being approached.

Chinese embassy response

The Chinese embassy in the UK strongly condemned the accusations, calling the allegation of Chinese espionage threats “entirely fabricated” and “malicious slander.” In a statement, the embassy said the “Five Eyes” members have “engaged in unscrupulous espionage and intelligence‑gathering activities around the globe. Their activities are the real threat to peace‑loving countries.” The full statement can be read here.

Details of the recruitment tactics

According to the agencies, Chinese spies have commissioned reports to be written by those they’ve approached, paying them anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, with payments sometimes made in cryptocurrency.

“Military members may be asked about their roles and unit activities, home base or naval vessel,” the notice said.
“Five Eyes agencies have identified individuals who have undertaken these activities, leading to criminal prosecutions, job losses, and security‑clearance revocation.”