Written By The recent leak of a large database of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members’ information has drawn international attention to China’s espionage tactics. Now, a new leak has revealed that China may be using the popular communication platform Discord for espionage purposes.
Discord is a chat app designed for gamers, but its ease of use and features have made it popular for various online communities. The platform allows users to create and join servers, which can be used for group chats, voice calls, and more. Discord has over 250 million registered users worldwide.
The leak, which was reported by the cybersecurity firm Insikt Group, reveals that the CCP has been using Discord to recruit spies and spread propaganda. The leak includes chat logs and other information from two Discord servers used by the CCP’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), an agency tasked with influencing and recruiting people outside of China.
According to the report, one of the Discord servers was used to coordinate propaganda efforts targeting Hong Kong and Taiwan. The UFWD allegedly used the server to distribute pro-CCP content and attack those who oppose China’s government. The second server was reportedly used for recruitment purposes. The UFWD allegedly used the server to identify potential recruits and conduct interviews.
The leak provides a rare glimpse into how the CCP operates online. China has been known to use social media platforms like WeChat and TikTok for propaganda purposes, but the use of Discord shows that China is willing to use any platform to advance its agenda.
Discord responded to the leak by banning the two servers and stating that it does not tolerate “the use of our platform for illegal activities.” The company also stated that it will investigate any reports of illegal activity on its platform and take appropriate action.
This isn’t the first time Discord has been linked to espionage activities. In 2018, it was reported that Russian hackers used Discord to coordinate attacks on the US government. The incident led to Discord banning a number of servers and implementing stricter moderation policies.
The leak also highlights the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world. As more and more communication and data storage moves online, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that data is secure and protected from hackers and other malicious actors.
Overall, the leak of the CCP’s Discord activities serves as a reminder that China’s espionage efforts extend far beyond TikTok and other well-known platforms. As the world becomes more interconnected, it’s important to remain vigilant and aware of potential threats to our cybersecurity and privacy.
