Expert Advises Ukrainians to Avoid Chinese Electronics Due to Espionage Risks
26 June 21:45
YouTube
Ukrainians should avoid buying Chinese electronics whenever possible, as they may be used by foreign intelligence agencies to collect data.
This was stated by cybersecurity expert Kostyantyn Korsun in an interview with the YouTube channel "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, over the past few decades, the Chinese government has invested heavily in the development of technical intelligence technologies, while electronics manufacturers have received state support to promote their products on global markets.
“I always urge people: if there is an option to buy something not made in China—a refrigerator, a TV, a smartphone, or any other electronic device—then, whenever possible, buy something not made in China,” Korsun said.
He asserts that modern electronic devices regularly exchange information with their servers to update software. At the same time, according to the expert, some of the data transmitted to manufacturers is not necessary for the device to function.
“Any device that has at least Bluetooth—and especially Wi-Fi—tries to connect to its home server. And this hidden traffic may include functions that aren’t necessary for the device to operate,” he explained.
Korsun also noted that, according to him, China has been subsidizing electronics production for years, making its products cheaper than their Western counterparts.
“The Chinese government subsidizes manufacturers so that their products are as cheap as possible and reach the largest possible number of users in Western countries,” the expert noted.
According to Korsun, collecting even non-classified information from a large number of devices allows for the creation of data sets that can be used for analytics and intelligence.
Restrict Use in the Public Sector
In addition, the expert said Ukraine should impose restrictions on the use of Chinese electronics and automobiles in the public sector, following the example of a number of European countries that have already tightened cybersecurity measures.
He noted that several Western countries have already restricted the use of Chinese software and hardware in government agencies due to potential risks of information leaks.
“The governments of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands have long since banned the use of Chinese products and software in government institutions and on government devices,” Korsun said.
At the same time, he noted that Ukraine currently has no similar restrictions.
“We don’t even have anything close to such bans. If the commander of any military unit buys a Chinese car and drives it to work, he’ll be allowed in and there won’t be any problems,” the expert noted.
Korsun explained that modern Chinese cars are equipped with a large number of cameras, sensors, and microphones and are constantly connected to the internet, which potentially allows manufacturers to collect vast amounts of data.
According to him, it is precisely because it is impossible to verify exactly what data is being collected and how it is used after being transmitted to the manufacturers’ servers that the governments of certain countries are imposing corresponding restrictions.
“They see that more information is being collected than is necessary for the device to function. This raises very serious suspicions,” Korsun said.
The expert noted that this does not mean a complete ban on Chinese products for citizens. Instead, in his view, stricter digital security requirements should be applied primarily to government agencies, the military sector, and critical infrastructure facilities, where the risks of information leaks could have security implications.
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China May Be Passing Data Collected via Ukrainians’ Electronics to Russia
Cybersecurity expert Kostyantyn Korsun emphasizes that the information Chinese companies collect through smartphones, cars, household appliances, and mobile apps could potentially be used by Russian intelligence agencies to wage war against Ukraine.
According to him, China is not a direct participant in the war against Ukraine, but it remains an ally of Russia, which creates additional risks to information security.
“China is more of an enemy to us than an ally. It is not our direct enemy, but it is an ally of our enemy. In other words, it is an indirect enemy,” Korsun said.
He believes that data collected through Chinese electronics and software can be used to build large-scale analytical models.
According to the expert, even information that seems insignificant at first glance, once processed, allows for establishing connections between people, their locations, social circles, and professional activities.
“Based on this big data, connections between people are established: who knows whom, who goes where, and who works with whom. And this can be very valuable intelligence,” he explained.
Korsun suggested that such information could be passed on to Russian intelligence agencies.
“In certain cases, China may share this data with Russian intelligence agencies, which will then use it to kill us,” the expert stated.
At the same time, he emphasized that most users underestimate the value of their own digital data, considering themselves “uninteresting” to intelligence agencies.
According to Korsun, modern intelligence agencies are increasingly working not with individual people, but with vast amounts of information that allow them to identify hidden connections and patterns. That is precisely why, he said, the issue of personal data protection and the choice of digital services is becoming a matter of national security, especially in the context of a full-scale war.
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