Australia’s Defence Department ban WeChat app due to worry about Chinese espionage activities

According to the “Australian Financial Review” reported on the 11th, the Australian Ministry of National Defense has banned employees from downloading Chinese app WeChat on their mobile phones. This further highlights Australia’s concern about Chinese espionage activities.

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“Defence does not provide or support the use of unauthorized software, including the WeChat social media application, on Defence mobile devices,” said a spokesman for the Australian Defense Ministry. In addition, the department stated that it allows limited use of Facebook and is conducting a “security assessment” of the communication application WhatsApp.

An Australian network security expert, who was allegedly associated with the federal government, said that concerns about WeChat are not limited to its close relationship with the Chinese government, but also that its user data may be “utilized”. “The understanding is that applications like WeChat have a higher ability to aggregate and monitor data.”

According to reports, businesses that do business with the Ministry of Defense of Australia have not yet disabled WeChat. Two professional service companies stated that employees often use WeChat when dealing with Chinese customers.

“Australian Financial Review” believes that the Australian military’s ban on WeChat is one of the actions of Australia, the United States, and other countries to oppose the investment of Chinese companies on the grounds of national security.