China boots out soldier for smartphone military secrets leaks to family, friends and gamers

Case of soldier who revealed his service identity in online games is being used to educate forces on technological pitfalls

PLA training and state media reports urge greater individual discipline to protect China’s secrets

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Chen disclosed his service identity when playing mobile phone games, according to a Chinese military social media report. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 23 Sep 2020Updated: 10:07pm, 23 Sep 2020

China has discharged a soldier from the army as punishment for disclosing military secrets via his smartphone.

A soldier surnamed Chen was disciplined for buying a second-hand smartphone, seen by the Chinese army as an unauthorised act, according to an article published on Tuesday on the official WeChat account of the Eastern Theatre Command.

Chen used the phone to discuss military secrets with friends and family members via messaging apps such as WeChat, and sent them military-related photos. Chen also disclosed his service identity when playing mobile phone games, the article said.

Chen was later required to write a confession and criticise himself in front of other soldiers.

Chen’s case was broadcast to soldiers in a recent education activity for an unspecified brigade in the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command, which oversees operations in relation to Taiwan.

Similar activities were held across the Chinese military in the past week to raise awareness about protecting soldiers’ privacy and the nation’s secrets.