Western intelligence agencies have issued a rare joint advisory warning of an increasing threat from Chinese surveillance tools targeting activists, journalists, and minorities.
The warning, released Tuesday and signed by cybersecurity authorities from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany, highlights spyware allegedly linked to China’s Ministry of Public Security.
According to the advisory, the malicious tools were developed by a Chengdu-based contractor, Sichuan Dianke Network Security Technology Co., and include two known malware packages: BADBAZAAR and MOONSHINE. The software reportedly enables remote access to mobile phone cameras, microphones, and location data.
The primary targets include individuals and organisations connected to Taiwanese independence, Tibetan rights, Uyghur Muslims, the Falun Gong movement, Hong Kong democracy campaigns, and other groups considered sensitive by the Chinese government.
Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said the spyware was being distributed through malicious apps, warning that “infections could spread beyond intended victims” due to the indiscriminate nature of the malware.
The advisory builds on earlier cybersecurity research and a January 29 report by Intelligence Online that connected the malware to China's internal security apparatus.
Tensions surrounding Taiwan and China’s regional posture have been growing. On April 1, China conducted new military drills around Taiwan. Days earlier, on March 28, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to deterring Chinese aggression during a visit to the Philippines.
The Chinese embassy has not responded to requests for comment.
The FBI, NSA, and allied cybersecurity agencies participated in the advisory, underscoring the level of concern among Western governments over Beijing’s expanding cyber capabilities.
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took t...
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her eff...
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 9 October 2026 with five key developments from the CIS summit in Turkmenistan....
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
U.S. federal immigration agents shot and wounded a man in a car with a five-year-old boy inside in New York City’s Bronx neighbourhood on Thursday, city officials, police and witnesses say.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the United States following a series of Russian attacks that killed more than 70 people over two days, arguing that Washington is not doing enough to help Kyiv counter Moscow's continued assault.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
The United States has unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's energy exports, taking aim at vessels, companies and individuals accused of helping move Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals to overseas markets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment