In London they call it a precaution, although from the outside it looks like total paranoia.
Before their trip to China, the British authorities significantly tightened digital security measures for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's delegation. So much so that it even became the subject of online jokes. The reason for this was concerns that Chinese intelligence services might attempt to access the British delegation's devices and official data during the visit.
The Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that the participants of the trip were given dozens of devices for short-term use, including new phones , separate SIM cards, and laptops. According to the newspaper, these gadgets were given to Starmer himself, his aides and special advisers, government staffers handling policy issues, and media representatives in the delegation. The newspaper claims that government equipment was not taken along to reduce the risk of hacking and covert surveillance.
Additional measures, according to the Times, also affected the flight. The delegation used a chartered plane, not Starmer's personal aircraft. The UK government stated that the prime minister's phone was protected, and his office had taken measures to ensure secure communications. The four-day visit began on January 28 and was the first by a British prime minister to China since 2018, when Theresa May represented London.
The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Chinese hackers may have tapped the phones of high-ranking officials working for British prime ministers between 2021 and 2024. According to the publication, the operation may have continued and affected Starmer and his office. This is not an isolated incident— intelligence agencies have repeatedly exploited vulnerabilities in devices to gain access to confidential information.
Before their trip to China, the British authorities significantly tightened digital security measures for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's delegation. So much so that it even became the subject of online jokes. The reason for this was concerns that Chinese intelligence services might attempt to access the British delegation's devices and official data during the visit.
The Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that the participants of the trip were given dozens of devices for short-term use, including new phones , separate SIM cards, and laptops. According to the newspaper, these gadgets were given to Starmer himself, his aides and special advisers, government staffers handling policy issues, and media representatives in the delegation. The newspaper claims that government equipment was not taken along to reduce the risk of hacking and covert surveillance.
Additional measures, according to the Times, also affected the flight. The delegation used a chartered plane, not Starmer's personal aircraft. The UK government stated that the prime minister's phone was protected, and his office had taken measures to ensure secure communications. The four-day visit began on January 28 and was the first by a British prime minister to China since 2018, when Theresa May represented London.
The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Chinese hackers may have tapped the phones of high-ranking officials working for British prime ministers between 2021 and 2024. According to the publication, the operation may have continued and affected Starmer and his office. This is not an isolated incident— intelligence agencies have repeatedly exploited vulnerabilities in devices to gain access to confidential information.
