June 16, 2023
3 mins read

Surveillance: Chinese police access chat records with ID cards

Eyewitnesses supported the claim that Chinese police have employed technology to extract comprehensive information from individuals’ mobile phones during routine checks…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese authorities, particularly the police associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), utilise individuals’ ID cards to gain access to their chat records as part of their extensive surveillance practices enabled by big data, revealed a recent report of Radio Free Asia on June 14.

The report cited an incident where a netizen, while travelling on a ferry at Haikou Xinhai Port on June 6, was subjected to a random check by customs and the police. It was disclosed that his WeChat chat history could be accessed only using his ID number, even if the conversations had been deleted. The report further highlighted that implementing ID cards containing embedded chips nationwide, which took place twenty years ago, was promoted to facilitate travel and enhance privacy protection.

However, people were unaware that this would eventually lead to a situation where their entire personal information, including assets, real estate holdings, hotel records, consumption history, and chat records, could be easily obtained through their ID cards. This expansion of surveillance is referred to as the “new strategic direction of deep stability maintenance.”

Eyewitnesses supported the claim that Chinese police have employed technology to extract comprehensive information from individuals’ mobile phones during routine checks. The police can instantly access details such as registered names associated with mobile numbers, WeChat group affiliations, and chat histories.

China has heavily invested in constructing a vast database and collecting personal information from various sources, rendering it virtually impossible to evade surveillance. The report quoted an eyewitness who experienced his Telegram account being compromised by an unidentified individual. This person conversed with the eyewitness, even going so far as to mimic the voice of a renowned writer, Li Chengpeng, from Sichuan.

A former public security officer from mainland China revealed that police could exploit iCloud big data to track individuals and covertly download user data within a 500-meter radius at high speeds. These monitoring techniques have been extensively deployed in recent years, particularly in sensitive regions such as Xinjiang and Tibet.

Another eyewitness reported receiving a phone call warning from the police after disclosing personal information, including their name and province, overseas. The police were able to identify the individual through cross-referencing big data.

The police even possessed knowledge of the eyewitness’s comments made in a specific WeChat group on a particular day, as well as blocked messages sent to a specific account on another specific day.

This revelation left the eyewitness astonished and frightened. The police cautioned against publishing any information deemed unfavourable to the party, the government, or the country’s leaders, threatening potential arrest as a consequence.

In a video released last year, Ah Hao, a Taiwanese network security programmer, discovered an encrypted WeChat log file within the WeChat database on his personal computer. Despite WeChat being in silent mode, the file continued to be updated every few minutes, adding approximately 30KB of data per minute.

Hao speculated that WeChat itself might conduct this ongoing data upload. To prevent unauthorised access, he personally modified the relevant encrypted data stored on his computer. However, most users lack the technical expertise to undertake such modifications.

Arthur Herman, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and director of the Quantum Alliance Initiative, voiced his concerns in a Forbes Magazine editorial published in February. He warned readers to pay close attention to WeChat and its parent company, Tencent, which he perceives as “another social media Trojan horse” employed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Herman highlighted that Chinese users are fully aware that every word they utter, and every picture they post on WeChat are subject to government monitoring and censorship. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Belt and Road wanes as China shifts focus

Previous Story

China not to change stance on Lankan debt restructuring

Next Story

‘Talks not over’: Dar pins hopes on IMF loan

Latest from -Top News

Hasina’s Defiant Words Before Ouster

Reportedly before leaving Hasina wanted to record a farewell speech to be aired on television, but military officials declined….reports Asian Lite News Following a violent student uprising last year, the Bangladeshi military

US Lawmakers Push AI Watchdog on China

The lawmakers stressed that “there is a strong national security need for better understanding, predicting, and preparing for the PRC’s AI progress…reports Asian Lite News Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja

Trump’s 51st State Pitch to Canada

The development follows a meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on May 6, where Trump praised Carney’s political success….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump claimed that he

Azhar Acquittal Sparks Outrage in Bangladesh

Jailed for nearly 13 years for war crimes, Azharul was received by party leaders and activists at the jail gate by his radical supporters….reports Asian Lite News Once accused of committing crimes

Trump Warns Putin: ‘Playing with Fire’

Trump on Sunday made harsh remarks on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky…reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is “playing with fire”
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China deploys more brigades to LAC; India keeps close watch

The Indian Army is reported to be closely tracking the

Macron to visit China, seek Xi’s help to end Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed China’s efforts on Friday, saying