A company linked to the Chinese military and intelligence agencies has obtained data on thousands of Austral Australians, with significant data leaked. That target includes celebrities, journalists and even the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison.
Globally, about 2.4 million people were traced.
Experts have described the move as a “psychological battle” to influence public opinion in psych Australia.
The compilation of the files is believed to be linked to the Chinese firm, Zhenhua Data, China’s intelligence service, and the State Security Ministry.
Server has also worked for the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army.
The information contained in the disclosure shows that the server provides “open source” details such as date of birth, addresses, marital status and photographs.
The database review describes how the information obtained can be obtained from “known platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well as others”.
The report adds: “In addition to personal information, they log information on posts, likes and retweets.
“This allows different relationships and key individuals to be targeted.”
But experts note that up to 20 percent of the information cannot be obtained through open source, meaning it can be collected from the Dark Web or by hacking.
Read more: China accuses Australia of interfering in major police investigations
Tory MP Tom Tughandhat, whose family data has also been accessed, had earlier sounded the alarm that it could be traced by Chinese intelligence.
He said the data leak has led to a “significant change” in the country’s tactics.
Addressing the Telegraph, Mr Tugenhat said: “This is a further indication that his interest in UK politics has grown more than usual and in particular.
“Is it clear that the Chinese government is increasingly seeking to get involved in politics abroad?
“Many of us know that, through direct targeting of crude, attempts to influence the UK have progressed more than usual a few years ago, and this suggests that private companies in China are being used as part of broader information. Collect effort.
