Ministry of National Security: Overseas map companies use virtual currencies as rewards to induce domestic personnel to illegally collect sensitive information

China's Ministry of National Security issued a statement stating that some overseas map companies use the method of collecting map data in exchange for virtual currency rewards to induce domestic personnel to purchase and use special equipment to "check in" maps, illegally collect sensitive geospatial information data, and upload it in real time to Overseas servers even offer high rewards for specific areas to attract "collectors" to focus on collection. Some people within the country have a weak awareness of national security and are tempted by the way of making money by checking in on maps. They are unknowingly used by overseas companies with ulterior motives and become "accomplices" in their illegal collection and theft of geospatial data. In response to the above situation, the national security agencies, together with relevant functional departments, investigated and punished domestic and foreign personnel and enterprises that collected and stole China's sensitive geospatial information data, promptly blocked the illegal export of relevant data, and eliminated the risk of relevant data leakage. (Lianhe Zaobao)