[ad_1]
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Services is assessing the “potential risks and security concerns” of the database of a Chinese intelligence company that has profiles of hundreds of influential Kiwis.
Spy Chief Rebecca Kitteridge issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying that the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) had obtained the database, details of which have been released by Stuff.
The “Database of Key Overseas Individuals” compiled by Zhenhua Data, a Chinese intelligence firm that has been linked to the Beijing intelligence apparatus, is said to include details of more than 2 million people around the world. obtained largely through publicly available records.
Stuff has gained access to the database and confirmed that more than 730 New Zealanders have been profiled, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s mother, Laurell, Father Ross and sister Louise, Cabinet Ministers, the son of the former Prime Minister Minister Sir John Key, Max, and Athlete Barbara Kendall.
ROBERT KITCHEN
Security Intelligence Service chief security officer Rebecca Kitteridge says the spy agency is reviewing data within Zhenhua’s database.
READ MORE:
* China’s intelligence firm’s ‘raw’ database capturing the Kiwis is likely aimed at projecting Beijing’s power
* New Zealand politicians, diplomats, judges and scammers found in a huge Chinese intelligence database
* New Zealand spies obtain ‘significant’ information from allies, in other parts of the world, on the numbers of coronavirus cases.
“While we are still evaluating the information, at this stage we believe that the information is drawn primarily from publicly accessible sources, such as social media and news reports,” said Kitteridge, Chief Security Officer.
“We know that different organizations collect information of this nature from publicly accessible sources for a variety of purposes, ranging from private companies wanting to conduct marketing or research at one end of the spectrum, to governments seeking to influence public discussion or collect intelligence in other countries in the other. “
The SIS would review the data, of which New Zealanders made up a small part, looking for potential risks and security concerns, the statement said.
“I understand that people may not know that their information could be collected in this way … This is a timely reminder for everyone to check the security settings on their social media accounts and review the amount of information they share on the Internet.” Kitteridge said.
Sooner
