Security agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have warned that Chinese intelligence operatives are using professional networking and job recruitment platforms, including LinkedIn, to target Western workers.
In a joint advisory, the agencies said operatives pose as recruiters or human resources representatives working for companies that appear to be based outside China.
The objective, according to the warning, is to obtain non-public information that could benefit Beijing.
Who is being targeted?
The advisory said Chinese intelligence services seek military, political and economic information that could provide strategic advantages.
Targets include:
- Security clearance holders
- Military personnel
- Journalists
- Academics
- Think-tank employees
Authorities said people in the Indo-Pacific region are among those being actively targeted.
Potential targets are selected partly based on their professional backgrounds and the likelihood that they possess useful information.
Long-term relationships
According to the advisory, operatives attempt to cultivate relationships over extended periods.
Even information that is not classified can prove valuable when combined with other intelligence.
The agencies said such information can contribute to policy and strategic decisions.
The statement noted that Chinese military intelligence services ultimately seek:
“Privileged military, political and economic intelligence that can provide China with a strategic and tactical advantage over the Five Eyes.”
The Five Eyes alliance comprises:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
LinkedIn response
Responding to the advisory, a LinkedIn spokesperson told TechCrunch:
“Creating a fake account or misrepresenting your identity is a clear violation of our terms of service.”
The spokesperson added:
“We remain focused on detecting state-sponsored abuse, and will continue to enforce our policies against fake accounts.”
Broader concerns
The warning comes amid continued concerns among Western governments over Chinese espionage activities.
While cyberattacks have often been associated with intelligence gathering, the advisory highlighted that operatives also use publicly accessible online communities and recruitment platforms to develop sources and collect information.
TL;DR
Security agencies from five countries have warned that Chinese intelligence operatives are using platforms such as LinkedIn to pose as recruiters and cultivate relationships with Western workers in an effort to obtain sensitive information.
AI summary
- The FBI, MI5 and other allies issued a joint espionage warning.
- Chinese operatives are allegedly posing as recruiters on LinkedIn.
- Targets include military personnel, journalists and academics.
- Even unclassified information can be valuable when combined with other intelligence.
- LinkedIn said fake accounts violate its policies.
