LinkedIn China Spying Threat Prompts Warning From US, Allies (bloomberg.com)
- Reference: 0183601864
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/06/04/1740244/linkedin-china-spying-threat-prompts-warning-from-us-allies
- Source link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-03/us-and-five-eyes-allies-warn-of-linkedin-china-spying-threat
> 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, it said. People with more peripheral access to government information, such as academics, journalists and think tank employees, were also being approached.
>
> The Chinese embassy in the UK strongly condemned the accusations, calling the allegation of Chinese espionage threats "entirely fabricated" and "malicious slander." 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 embassy said in [3]a statement Thursday.
>
> [...] 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," it warned.
[1] https://www.mi5.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/SAFEGUARDING%20OUR%20SECRETS_DIGITAL-03.pdf
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-03/us-and-five-eyes-allies-warn-of-linkedin-china-spying-threat
[3] https://gb.china-embassy.gov.cn/lcbt/sgryr/202606/t20260604_11937091.htm
There's been news about this problem for years. (Score:2)
It's nice that they are making an official statement to drive the point home though.
LinkedIn is basically a platform for asset recruitment by foreign state intelligence services, job fraud scammers, and companies keeping job listings open that they're not actually hiring for to make them look better to investors.
Why bother? (Score:4, Interesting)
The administration gives it away for free.
[1]https://www.theatlantic.com/po... [theatlantic.com]
[2]https://abcnews.com/US/after-w... [abcnews.com]
[3]https://www.npr.org/2022/11/18... [npr.org]
[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/
[2] https://abcnews.com/US/after-white-house-trump-allegedly-discussed-potentially-sensitive/story?id=103760456
[3] https://www.npr.org/2022/11/18/1137474748/trump-tweeted-an-image-from-a-spy-satellite-declassified-document-shows
Re: (Score:1)
The Hegnet and Orangenet
Waah Snot fair they are doing what we are doing (Score:3)
or should be doing!
Yes. And? (Score:5, Insightful)
This is obviously happening. Like saying that water is wet. The west does the same to the east in many ways.
Re: (Score:2)
Everyone spies. If your country's intelligence agencies aren't doing so, they're acting negligently.
Re: (Score:2)
It's also the duty of every country to warn their citizens against the spying activities of adversaries. You should both be spying AND protecting against the spying of others.
Re: (Score:2)
I mean, companies and reporters use LinkedIn to spy on what companies are doing, identify potential sources and targets to recruit, etc. Why do we think nation-states wouldn't also be involved in the action?
Re: (Score:2)
But, but, when WE do it then it's perfectly acceptable! It's only when the BAD guys do it that it isn't! . . . What do you mean most of the world considers us the 'bad guys'?