China Warns Security Threats From Foreign Geographical Information Software

China has announced findings that foreign geographic information software could harm confidential data (photo: dock. pexels)

JAKARTA - China's Ministry of State Security has announced findings that foreign geographic information software could compromise classified and sensitive data in key sectors, including the military, and warned security departments to carry out in-depth checks to stop further abuses.

In an article posted on its official WeChat account on Monday, December 11, the ministry disclosed investigative results stating that geographic information system software from abroad was used to collect data, including some related to state secrets, "corresponding to a serious threat to China's national security."

The Chinese government says that the perpetrators use software to collect user data without restrictions, deliberately inserting a "backdoor" that has been built previously in software to enable cyberattacks and data theft.

Although it does not provide information about the entities blamed or identify certain Chinese companies affected or targeted, the government says that the perpetrators violate highly precise geographic information data, allowing a three-dimensional geomorphological mapping of certain areas in the transportation, energy, military and other important sectors, which could open up gaps to threats.

China has taken increasingly large steps to protect its national security and prevent information leakage that could harm the industry and harm its economy. The government stated that the department would conduct an investigation into the security risks of geographic information data and "improve and immediately eliminate" any threats.

The security agency is also expected to establish and improve collaborative plans for data security protection to protect important national data. In the context of technological developments, the Chinese government emphasizes that geographical information can be considered as strategic data resources used in various sectors such as agriculture, energy, automated vehicles, express online shopping, and food delivery