Beijing (TAN): Chinese border authorities are forcing foreign tourists crossing into the country to download malware on their phones, so they can scan for materials they consider objectionable, media reports said.
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The malware reportedly downloads personal data including texts, contacts and calendar entries, and checks for pictures, videos, documents and audio files that match its list of over 73,000 items stored in the malware.
This followed United States’ move to ban Chinese tech major Huawei on grounds of national security. Although Huawei denied the charge, the block prompted several American tech companies to refuse to sell parts to Huawei.
China reportedly installed high-tech surveillance in the Xinjiang region to spy on the area’s predominantly local Muslim population. But the search was subsequently extended to tourists, traders and other visitors.
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Border guards, who reportedly scan for extremist content in visitors’ smartphones, physically grab the phones.
