RSF Warns Journalists of the Dangers of a Chinese Smartphone Application that Can Spy on Them

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns journalists against the smartphone app intended for the propaganda of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who could be used to spy on them.

The smartphone app to the glory of Chinese President Xi Jinping ”  Study Xi, strengthen the country  ” would have a backdoor to execute orders and collect personal information without the knowledge of the user. According to the German cybersecurity firm Cure 53 , which revealed the information last month, the application, designed by the e-commerce giant Alibaba for the Chinese Communist Party, would be able to modify files, download apps, dial phone numbers, or turn on the unit’s microphone. 

We recommend that journalists avoid downloading this software at all costs, which may compromise their security and that of their sources,” says Cédric Alviani, RSF East Asia Office Director. If it is absolutely necessary to install it, we recommend using a device dedicated to this purpose and containing no sensitive information. “

As of the end of the year, Chinese journalists will be forced to use this application to pass a loyalty review ofthe doctrine of the Party and the President , mandatory for obtaining and renewing the press card.

Launched last February, this smartphone application gives access to a large number of propaganda documents and allows the user to test his political orthodoxy in the manner of a game, with a system of points and rewards. According to the Open Technology Fund Foundation , the application would have exceeded 600 million downloads. 

China ranks 177th out of 180 countries and territories in the 2019 RSF World Press Freedom Index , only two ranks above North Korea.

Copyright ©2016, Reporters Without Borders. Used with the permission of Reporters Without Borders, CS 90247 75083 Paris Cedex 02 https://rsf.org

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