Information Security News: Chinese Authorities Order Olympic Hotels To Install Spy Gear

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/privacy/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=209900038

By Thomas Claburn
InformationWeek
July 29, 2008

In an apparent mistranslation of the concept of hospitality, Chinese 
authorities have ordered foreign-owned hotels to install Internet 
monitoring equipment to spy on hotel guests during the Olympic Games, 
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, charged on Tuesday.

"I am very disappointed that the Chinese government will not follow 
through on its promise to the International Olympic Committee to 
maintain an environment free of government censorship during the Games," 
Brownback said in a statement. "The Chinese government has put in place 
a system to spy on and gather information about every guest at hotels 
where Olympic visitors are staying. This means journalists, athletes' 
families and other visitors will be subjected to invasive intelligence 
gathering by the Chinese Public Security Bureau."

According to a news release issued by the senator's office, Chinese 
authorities have ordered foreign-owned hotels to install a software 
program and a hardware device to help the Public Security Bureau spy on 
hotel guests. Several hotel chains have reportedly confirmed the 
existence of this order and provided documentation to Brownback.

A spokesperson for Brownback was not immediately available.

[...]


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