MY2022: Security Concerns in Chinese Olympics App

Amid the cybersecurity concerns in Chinese Olympics App, National Olympic Committees (NOC) are advising athletes from some western countries to leave personal devices at home or use temporary phones, at the Winter Games in Beijing.

Highlights

• NOCs will provide their athletes and staff with temporary devices to do away the security risks and combat any surveillance during Games.
• The Games are scheduled to take place from February 4 to February 20 in Beijing, China.

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Advisory

• The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee advisory states that, it should be assumed that every text, online visit, email and application access can be compromised or monitored.
• The advisory suggests to use rental or disposable laptops and phones while in Beijing or delete all data from personal devices before and after travelling.
• It also recommends the members to install virtual private networks (VPNs) on devices before leaving United States.
• It further notes that, though there are safeguards in place for protecting their systems and data, there should be “no expectation of privacy or data security or privacy while they operate in China.