China cracks down on theft of geographic data, warning of national security threat

Beijing kicks off inspection to eliminate risks following cases involving geographic information systems used in key industries

Chinese spy agency says people and groups with ‘ulterior motives’ have used foreign GIS software to try to steal ‘classified and sensitive’ data

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Stolen geographic data can be used to recreate 3D maps related to transport systems, energy and the military, according to China’s top spy agency. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:01pm, 11 Dec 2023

China’s security authorities have kicked off a national inspection to crack down on theft of data from geographic information systems, warning that these data leaks pose a threat to national security.

The Ministry of State Security said security authorities are conducting the inspection to cut off perpetrators and guide and assist in investigations to “promptly eliminate security risks of major data theft and data leaks”.

In an article posted to its WeChat account on Monday, the ministry said security organs had found cases in which foreign geographic information system (GIS) software used in important industries had collected and transferred data.

“Some of the data is important and sensitive, and even involves state secrets, posing a serious threat to our national security,” it said, without naming specific GIS software.

The ministry noted that as information technology advances, GIS data is both “an important strategic data resource” and “a new production factor” that has been widely applied in industry and everyday life.

“However, some organisations and individuals with ulterior motives have made use of GIS software in an attempt to steal classified and sensitive geographic data, posing threats and hidden dangers to national security,” it said.

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