Chinese Ministry of State Security
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned on Thursday that foreign espionage agencies are using disguised surveys, academic exchanges, and hobby groups as a cover for intelligence gathering. These activities subtly turn unsuspecting participants into conduits for information theft.
As technology becomes more widespread, many organizations and individuals are using online platforms for scientific discussions and knowledge sharing, making specialized information more accessible. However, some of these activities involve research on sensitive information such as national meteorological data, seismic data, and marine data. Foreign espionage agencies have seized these opportunities by embedding intelligence collection within surveys and exchange programs, gradually enlisting participants as unwitting information sources, the MSS revealed in a statement published on its official Wechat account on Thursday.
MSS investigations have revealed that espionage agencies use seemingly harmless and modest "questionnaire-style inquiries," cater to the public's pursuit of professional hobbies, thereby developing individuals with weak awareness of confidentiality and security into intelligence collectors without the need for recruitment or coercion.
Foreign espionage agencies may conduct surveys on the public's hobbies, professional fields, and internet usage habits through methods such as sending emails. They offer small rewards to encourage participation, gradually drawing individuals into deeper engagement, the MSS noted.
Once individuals have been profiled through initial surveys, espionage networks invite them to professional exchange groups. By setting up information exchange traps and offering ongoing rewards, they cultivate key individuals' interests, making them deeply engaged in data collection and group activities.
When the group exchanges reach a certain stage, foreign espionage agencies organize data-sharing exchange meetings, even sending related hardware products from abroad for enthusiasts to set up. They establish corresponding reward mechanisms based on the volume and sensitivity of the shared data, such as upgrading membership levels, obtaining high-end equipment, or becoming regional administrators, satisfying users materially and psychologically, leading them to become addicted and turn into tools for secret theft, the MSS warned.
The MSS urges the public to exercise extreme caution when receiving survey emails from unknown foreign entities and avoid unnecessary participation and disclosing personal identity information, workplace, family status, etc., to protect personal privacy data. For personal professional interests, especially those involving core sensitive areas, it emphasizes the need for sound judgment, adherence to security protocols, and caution against being lured by curiosity into compromising national security and strictly adhere to the bottom line, the MSS said.
Global Times
