China warns: Foreign forces abuse Crypto Assets to exchange iris data, national security risks escalate!

The Chinese government recently issued a stern warning, accusing foreign entities of using encryption incentives to illegally collect sensitive biometric data such as iris scans from Chinese citizens, posing a significant threat to national security and personal privacy. As the combination of biometric recognition technology and Crypto Assets becomes increasingly widespread, the risks to digital identification security and cross-border data flow are also continuously rising. This article will provide a Depth analysis of the latest warnings from Chinese security agencies, related cases, and how the public can protect themselves.

Biometric data becomes a new type of spy target

According to reports from the Global Times, the Chinese Ministry of Security has pointed out that foreign agents are collecting biometric data such as iris, facial, and fingerprint data on a large scale through encryption schemes, and using it for espionage activities. Recent cases have shown that foreign intelligence agencies have illegally obtained personal facial data and even exploited compromised fingerprint payment systems to leak a large amount of sensitive information, posing a serious threat to national security.

Risks of Iris Scanning Under Cryptocurrency Incentives

The Ministry of Commerce of China has specifically named foreign companies that use the issuance of crypto assets tokens as an incentive to require users to undergo iris scans. This data is transferred overseas and may be used for identity fraud, infiltrating sensitive institutions, or other malicious purposes. Although the company name is not explicitly mentioned, its operating model is very similar to the well-known crypto startup Worldcoin. This phenomenon has raised the heightened vigilance of Chinese regulatory authorities regarding the cross-border flow of digital identification data.

The development of biometric identification technology is rapid, and the risk of data leakage is increasing

The Ministry of Health emphasized that biometric identification technology, due to its efficiency and accuracy, has been widely applied in fields such as finance and border control. However, once this data is leaked, it will be difficult to recover and the consequences can be severe. Officials cited examples where foreign spies have forged biometric traits to infiltrate sensitive locations, or where lax cybersecurity measures have resulted in fingerprint payment systems being hacked, leading to significant data breaches.

The uniqueness of iris data is high, making it a primary target for hackers

Iris patterns are highly stable and difficult to replicate, making them key for identity verification in high-security environments. However, this also makes iris data a prime target for hackers and malicious actors. The Chinese security authorities urge citizens to strictly scrutinize services involving facial, fingerprint, iris, and other biometric data, and to proactively request data collectors to explain how the data is stored and used.

Citizen Self-Protection: Prudent Authorization, Vigilant Against Data Misuse

The Chinese Ministry of Health recommends that the public carefully read the privacy policy when providing biometric data, remain vigilant against excessive data collection, and actively maintain their information security. Although no new regulations have been introduced yet, this warning reflects China's high attention to digital identification technology and cross-border data transmission.

Conclusion

With the integration of Crypto Assets and biometric recognition technology, digital identification security and national security risks are simultaneously upgraded. The Chinese authorities warn that foreign forces are abusing Crypto Assets to collect iris data, highlighting the severe challenges of cross-border data security. Investors and users should be vigilant, protect personal privacy, and guard against potential risks.