Newsroom
A U.S. government delegation visiting Beijing reportedly left behind one of the most basic tools of modern life, their personal mobile phones, as part of strict cybersecurity precautions designed to prevent surveillance and data collection while in China.
Instead, American officials, along with accompanying business leaders and security personnel, traveled with “clean” devices stripped of apps, temporary laptops, and tightly controlled communication systems. The setup is intended to reduce the risk of hacking, monitoring or digital interference during the visit.
But the safeguards also come with practical drawbacks, turning even simple day-to-day communication into a logistical challenge. Messages that would normally be sent instantly through encrypted apps or synced devices are instead routed through controlled channels, temporary accounts, or even delivered in person, according to reporting by Fox News.
Current and former officials say the precautions reflect a long-standing view within the U.S. government: anything brought into China, whether phones, laptops, tablets, or even hotel Wi-Fi connections, should be treated as potentially compromised.
“China is a mass surveillance state,” said Bill Gates, a former Secret Service special agent and now director of protective services at Safehaven Security Group. He said briefings for U.S. officials begin well before arrival and make clear that “everything is monitored.”
“People are always told to assume that what they say and do, both in person and digitally, could be monitored,” said Teresa Payton, former White House chief information officer and CEO of cybersecurity firm Fortalice Solutions. She added that officials are expected to adjust their behavior accordingly.
