UK Collaborates with LinkedIn to Combat Chinese Espionage

In a significant move to safeguard national security, the UK government is in discussions with LinkedIn to address the rising threat of Chinese espionage. This initiative follows a rare warning issued by MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, regarding foreign interference through social media.

The National Protective Security Authority, a branch of the UK security services, is actively engaging with various social media platforms to enhance their resistance against foreign agents. A government official informed The Guardian that the aim is to make these platforms less appealing to individuals involved in espionage.

During a briefing on Tuesday, Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers were alerted to a “covert and calculated” espionage effort linked to two LinkedIn profiles associated with the Chinese intelligence apparatus. MI5 revealed that these accounts, masquerading as recruitment professionals, were attempting to gather “insider insights” into the workings of British politics.

The profiles in question were identified as belonging to Amanda Qiu, representing BP-YR Executive Search, and Shirly Shen, from InternshipUnion. MI5 indicated that these profiles were utilized to “conduct outreach at scale” to various individuals within the political landscape. Both accounts have since been removed from the platform.

A spokesperson for LinkedIn stated, “Creating a fake account or misrepresenting your identity is a clear violation of our terms of service. We remain focused on detecting state-sponsored abuse and will continue to enforce our policies against fake accounts.” This highlights the platform's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its user base.

In light of these developments, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has scheduled a cybersecurity and resilience briefing for MPs. This event will feature GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler and Richard Horne, the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, aiming to equip lawmakers with the necessary insights into cybersecurity threats.

MI5's alert emphasized that operatives often prefer to transition sensitive conversations to encrypted communication platforms. The agency noted that targets of such espionage attempts include employees from think tanks and geopolitical consultants, illustrating the breadth of the threat.

Bryn Harris, the chief legal counsel at the Free Speech Union, shared his concerns with The Guardian. He recounted receiving three inquiries this year from individuals claiming to be interested in his work related to academic freedom. These messages surfaced shortly after a high-profile incident involving a member of the Free Speech Union, Professor Michelle Shipworth from University College London.

Professor Shipworth was embroiled in controversy when she was allegedly barred from teaching a “provocative” course related to China, a decision purportedly made to protect the university's commercial interests. This situation sparked an investigation into her claims by UCL.

Harris detailed the nature of the unsolicited emails he received. In June, he was contacted by someone using the name Lala Chen, who expressed interest in discussing “the balance between academic freedom and campus management power in the current higher education environment.” Subsequently, in July, Ailin Chen, who claimed to work at an IBM research center, praised Harris's contributions to the higher education bill discussions.

In October, a third email from an individual named Emily Emily claimed ties to Google’s AI division and complimented Harris’s research. Each of these correspondences suggested transitioning discussions to WhatsApp, a move that raised suspicions about their legitimacy.

A private threat assessment indicated that despite the senders claiming to be based in the United States, they were likely located in the Asia-Pacific region. This discrepancy highlights the potential for deception in these communications, further emphasizing the necessity for vigilance.

The UK government’s proactive measures to address Chinese espionage through platforms like LinkedIn underline the seriousness of the threat posed by foreign intelligence activities. As social media continues to evolve, the collaboration between government bodies and tech companies becomes crucial in fortifying defenses against these covert operations. The developments in this area will be closely monitored by both officials and the public as they seek to protect national interests from foreign interference.