Chinese Insiders Involved in Illegal Data Market
/ 1 min read
Chinese tech company employees and government workers are reportedly involved in a thriving illegal data market, selling sensitive user information, including that of high-ranking Communist Party officials and FBI-wanted hackers. This ecosystem is fueled by insiders who are incentivized to harvest data for financial gain, often through recruitment ads promising substantial daily income. The data, obtained through deep packet inspection by major telecom companies, is used for scams and sold to legitimate businesses for marketing purposes. Researchers highlight the existence of “social engineering databases” that compile extensive personal information, posing significant privacy risks. These databases have been linked to various cybercriminal activities, including the identification of individuals, including those wanted by the FBI, showcasing a complex web of data exploitation in China.
