Brits in Beijing warned of Chinese whispers
BEIJING – Britain’s official delegates to the Olympic Games have been told to use throwaway mobile phones because of security concerns, it has been reported.
The measure is designed to avoid any Chinese officials spying on their conversations.
Delegates have been told not to use their personal mobile phones but pay-as-you-go mobiles that should be thrown away as soon as they return from the Games.
There have been repeated warnings about the lengths the Chinese government will go to obtain information, and the tight controls it keeps on people in the country.
Channel 4 News reported security officials at MI6 told the British delegation the Chinese would as a matter of routine, bug phone conversations.
When you make a call on a regular mobile phone, a signal is sent via the airwaves. Chinese intelligence officials can then use a special listening station to tap into the frequency and eavesdrop into the conversation.
Once the call has been monitored, the unique number can be stored and tracked all over the world, meaning their phones would no longer be secure.
Members of the delegation are also being told not to have private conversations over the phone.
Mike Moran, from Security Protection International, said it would be “naive to suggest the Chinese will not be listening in.
“You have to assume there’s going to be three people on the phone.”
Ian Jarrett
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