MEA takes up issue of ‘Chinese snooping’ with envoy

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

The Ministry of External Affairs raised the issue of alleged spying on prominent Indians with Chinese envoy Sun Weidong.

The Chinese envoy was informed that the government is deeply concerned with any report that suggests foreign sources are seeking to access the personal data of its citizens without their consent, said sources.

The government has also constituted an expert committee under the National Cyber Security Coordinator to evaluate implications about alleged snooping on tens of thousands of prominent Indians by a Chinese company Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. The panel will also assess any violations of law and submit its recommendations within 30 days.

This was communicated by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Congress MP KC Venugopal and other Parliamentarians who had demanded that the government protect data of Indians from spying by Chinese entities.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the report is “seriously untrue”. Quoting the company, the Chinese MFA said the private company’s clients are research institutions and business groups. Instead of collecting data, it only mobilises data which is open and available online. China offered to enhance dialogue and cooperation to jointly build an open and cooperative cyber space.