US President Donald Trump arrived in China with hundreds of aides, security personnel and officials and CEOs that included Elon Musk, Jensen Huang among others. According to a report by Foxnews, many members of the American delegations entered China under what officials describe a ‘digital lockdown’. The report said several officials traveling with Trump left behind their personal phones and laptops and instead carried temporary “clean” devices with restricted access. These devices are reportedly designed to reduce the risk of surveillance, hacking and data collection during the visit that has been “a longstanding assumption inside the US government”.
Consider anything brought into China as ‘compromised’
Current and former US officials told Fox News that the measures are based on a long-standing belief inside the US government that anything brought into China — including phones, laptops, tablets and even hotel Wi-Fi networks — should be treated as “potentially compromised.”“China is a mass surveillance state,” Bill Gage, former Secret Service special agent and current director of executive protection at Safehaven Security Group, told Fox News. “Briefings for U.S. officials begin well before the president arrives, and they make clear that everything is monitored.”Theresa Payton, former White House chief information officer and CEO of cybersecurity firm Fortalice Solutions, also said officials are warned to assume that all digital and in-person activity could be monitored.“We always tell people to assume everything you say and do — both in person and digitally — could be monitored,” Payton said. “And to conduct themselves accordingly.”The report said the digital restrictions often create logistical challenges. Officials may lose access to their usual contacts, cloud systems and encrypted communication apps. In some cases, messages are passed through tightly controlled communication channels or delivered in person.
‘Digital lockdown’ not only limited to phones, laptops
The precautions also reportedly extend to charging devices. US cybersecurity guidance has warned travelers against using unknown USB ports or charging stations due to risks linked to “juice jacking,” where malicious hardware could steal data or install software on devices.Fox News reported that some officials and executives may also carry “golden image” devices which are preconfigured phones and laptops that security teams can inspect before and after the trip to check for tampering.
Chinese Embassy rejects the claim
The Chinese government rejected allegations of improper surveillance. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told Fox News, “In China, personal privacy is protected by law.” He added that the Chinese government “has never required—and will never require—enterprises or individuals to collect or store data in violation of the law.”The report comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over cybersecurity, espionage and surveillance concerns. US officials have repeatedly accused China-linked hacking groups of targeting government agencies, telecom networks and critical infrastructure.
