A recent report suggested that Chinese Intelligence operatives were attempting to gain industrial and commercial secrets from researchers in the field of quantum computing. The Guardian article has claimed that Chinese actors posing as recruitment consultants on LinkedIn were attempting to obtain secret information.
The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, has warned that an estimated 20,000 Britons have been targeted by Chinese state actors on LinkedIn in an attempt to steal industrial or technological secrets. He highlighted that 10,000 UK businesses, particularly those in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or synthetic biology, were at risk. The MI5 director-general also noted that the covert activity aimed not only at government or military secrets but also at startups, academic research, and individuals who may not consider themselves targets. The FBI director, Christopher Wray, echoed these concerns, describing the Chinese Communist Party as the primary threat to innovation. The MI5 has seen a seven-fold increase in its China caseload over the past four years.
Quick Summary
An estimated 20,000 Britons have been targeted by Chinese state actors on LinkedIn in an attempt to steal industrial or technological secrets, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and synthetic biology, according to the head of MI5, Ken McCallum. Concerns about Chinese industrial espionage have significantly increased over the past decade, with the FBI director, Christopher Wray, describing the Chinese Communist party as the primary threat to innovation and accusing Beijing of making economic espionage a central component of its national strategy.
- An estimated 20,000 Britons have been targeted by Chinese state actors on LinkedIn, aiming to steal industrial or technological secrets, according to Ken McCallum, head of MI5.
- McCallum suggests that 10,000 UK businesses are at risk, particularly those in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and synthetic biology sectors.
- The MI5 director general highlighted that the covert activity is not only aimed at government or military secrets but also at startups, academic research, and individuals who may not consider themselves targets.
- The main method of attack is through Chinese actors posing as recruitment consultants on LinkedIn.
- Concerns about Chinese industrial espionage have increased significantly over the past decade, with the US intelligence and military establishment viewing their country as being in a long-term struggle for economic dominance.
- FBI director Christopher Wray, described the Chinese Communist party as the main threat to innovation, accusing Beijing of making economic espionage a central component of its national strategy.
- MI5 has reported a seven-fold increase in its China caseload over the past four years.
- The agency has identified 20 instances of Chinese companies attempting to circumvent regulations to gain access to technology developed by British companies and universities.
- McCallum anticipates that the new National Security Act will lead to Chinese agents being tried in British courts.
