February 2024 Intelligence News

2 military officers get jail time for faking intelligence to claim bonuses CNA 29 Feb 2024 -- Two military officers were sentenced on Thursday to six and seven years in prison after they were found guilty of making up intelligence to claim performance bonuses totaling over NT$10 million (US$316,147).
China's secrets law could mean new risks linked to 'work secrets' Radio Free Asia 29 Feb 2024 -- China's latest piece of security legislation will have a further chilling effect on foreign investment and the economy by creating a new category of confidential information called 'work secrets,' analysts said in recent commentaries and interviews with RFA Mandarin.
China urges U.S. to formulate universal data security rules to enable orderly, free data flows People's Daily 01 Mar 2024 -- China firmly rejects the U.S. false accusation that China purchases American personal and sensitive data for malicious activities, and urges the United States to work with others to formulate universal data security rules to enable orderly and free data flows around the world, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.
Justice Department to Implement Groundbreaking Executive Order Addressing National Security Risks and Data Security US Dept. of Justice 28 Feb 2024 -- On Feb. 28, the President will issue a groundbreaking Executive Order (E.O.) addressing the extraordinary and unusual national security threat posed by the continued effort of certain countries of concern to access Americans' bulk sensitive personal data and certain U.S. Government-related data. The first of its kind, the E.O., entitled "Preventing Access to Americans' Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and U.S. Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern," will direct the Justice Department to establish, implement and administer new and targeted national-security programming to address this threat.
Message to the Congress on Preventing Access to Americans' Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern The White House 28 Feb 2024
Sixth Bulgarian Charged In Britain With Spying For Russia RFE/RL 28 Feb 2024 -- A sixth Bulgarian citizen has been charged in Britain with allegedly being a member of a Russian spy network operating in the United Kingdom, British prosecutors said.
Pro-Russian Narratives Rise Among Latin American X Users, Research Shows VOA 28 Feb 2024 -- When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago, it sparked outrage in many parts of the world. Images of atrocities by Russian fighters and destruction of Ukrainian cities tilted much Western public opinion in favor of Kyiv.
Top legislature revises Law on Guarding State Secrets Global Times 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday voted to adopt a revised Law on Guarding State Secrets at a session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, to take effect on May 1. The revision, the first in 14 years, aims to comprehensively enhance the confidentiality management of state secrets, particularly in cyberspace, amid new challenges brought by an accelerating technological revolution both domestically and internationally, Chinese officials expounded on Wednesday.
Revision of Law on Guarding State Secrets responds to needs of the times: official People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- As the guarding of state secrets faces new problems and challenges in the new era, the revision of the Law on Guarding State Secrets is a necessary move to improve relevant work, said an official with China's National Administration of State Secrets Protection.
China adopts revised Law on Guarding State Secrets People's Daily 28 Feb 2024 -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday voted to adopt a revised Law on Guarding State Secrets.
US-UK Spy Agencies Trained Spooks, Saboteurs in Ukraine Way Before 2022 - Russian MFA Sputnik 26 Feb 2024 -- On Sunday, The New York Times reported, citing Ukrainian and US officials, that Washington had created a network of spy bases in Ukraine over the past eight years, including 12 forward operating bases along Russia's border engaged in operations against Russia.
Two indicted for allegedly financing candidate using Beijing money CNA 26 Feb 2024 -- A Taiwanese man and a Chinese woman have been indicted for providing funds from China to a pro-unification New Taipei City Council candidate in Taiwan's local elections in 2022, according to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office.
CIA Set Up 12 Secret Facilities in Ukraine Along Russian Border Over Eight Year Period - Report Sputnik 25 Feb 2024 -- American intelligence agencies reportedly collaborated closely with their Ukrainian counterparts, providing training to operatives conducting missions in Russia, Europe, Cuba, and other areas with an active Russian presence.
China's top anti-espionage authority warns of secret leaks through smart wearable devices Global Times 23 Feb 2024 -- China's top anti-espionage authority warned on Friday that various smart wearable devices may become "cyber spies" used by foreign intelligence agencies to carry out espionage activities, posing a threat to national security.
Chinese company hacked UK government, NATO, GitHub leak claims Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- Chinese hackers have been targeting government departments, academic institutions and human rights groups in the United Kingdom and across Asia, gaining covert access to sensitive information on behalf of the country's law enforcement and spy agencies, according to a recent data dump on developer platform GitHub.
N Korea attempts to hack Russian foreign ministry: report Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- North Korea's cyber-espionage efforts have been directed at infiltrating the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a German cybersecurity firm, which has discovered a malware sample concealed within a backdoored software installer for Moscow.
Assange Lawyers Make Last Bid to Prevent Extradition VOA 20 Feb 2024 -- Lawyers for Julian Assange on Tuesday made a last-ditch effort to prevent his extradition to the United States after fighting it for more than a decade.
Foreign information manipulation: US, UK and Canada joint statement UK FCDO 16 Feb 2024 -- The US, UK and Canada have issued a joint statement on coordinated efforts to counter foreign state information manipulation.
Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Sentenced for Concealing Information from the FBI US Dept. of Justice 16 Feb 2024 -- Charles F. McGonigal, 55, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, was sentenced today to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual with ties to the Albanian government while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence investigations.
Foreign cyber spies attack information systems of key departments, enterprises, stealing sensitive data: China's Ministry of State Security Global Times 16 Feb 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security warned on Friday that in recent years, national security agencies have discovered that foreign cyber spies have continuously attacked the information systems of key departments and enterprises within China, resulting in the theft of important sensitive data and posing a threat to China's data security and cybersecurity.
Justice Department Conducts Court-Authorized Disruption of Botnet Controlled by the Russian Federation's Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) US Dept. of Justice 15 Feb 2024 -- A January 2024 court-authorized operation has neutralized a network of hundreds of small office/home office (SOHO) routers that GRU Military Unit 26165, also known as APT 28, Sofacy Group, Forest Blizzard, Pawn Storm, Fancy Bear, and Sednit, used to conceal and otherwise enable a variety of crimes.
U.S. Offers Rewards Worth Millions For Info On Russian Ransomware Group RFE/RL 15 Feb 2024 -- The United States on February 15 announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of any of the leaders of the Russian-based criminal group known as BlackCat.
US Officials Push Back After Lawmaker Sounds Alarm on Security Threat VOA 14 Feb 2024 -- The White House along with other top officials are seeking to reassure the American public after a key lawmaker sounded alarms about a "serious national security threat" facing the United States.
China's Propaganda Push in Spanish Fails to Impress, Report Shows VOA 14 Feb 2024 -- China has been scaling up its influence campaign in Spanish-speaking countries in the past few years by producing and publishing tens of thousands of videos through the three largest Spanish-language YouTube channels of its state media, a recent study finds.
Will Disinformation Disrupt the 2024 US Elections? VOA 13 Feb 2024 -- When Russia tried to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election, it set off what appeared to be a reckoning with foreign disinformation campaigns in the United States.
France, Allies Accuse Russia of Increased Disinformation Activities VOA 13 Feb 2024 -- France and several other Western countries allied with Ukraine accused Russia on Monday of developing a network of websites to promote pro-Russian propaganda and undermine their governments.
Expansion of Kremlin-backed Media in Bosnia Is a Concern, Analysts Say VOA 13 Feb 2024 -- When Russia launched its full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union moved to suspend broadcasts by the Kremlin-backed outlets Sputnik and Russia Today, or RT, citing "systematic information manipulation and disinformation."
Chinese attempts to recruit US, NATO service members as advisors prompts Ramstein conference US Air Force 12 Feb 2024 -- U.S. and NATO officials addressed attempts by the People's Republic of China to manipulate alliance-trained Airmen during the Securing Our Military Expertise from Adversaries conference at NATO Allied Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 30-31.
The Kremlin's Efforts to Spread Deadly Disinformation in Africa US Dept. of State 12 Feb 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of State's Global Engagement Center is exposing Russia's intelligence services for providing material support and guidance to "African Initiative," a new information agency focused on Africa-Russia relations that has spread disinformation regarding the United States and European countries.
Release of eight Indian Nationals detained in Qatar India MEA 12 Feb 2024 -- The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India.
Who Is Assassin Putin Wants in Trade for Imprisoned US Journalist? VOA 09 Feb 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Thursday that he would be willing to consider releasing detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in exchange for the freedom of a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for assassinating a man in Germany.
Chinese firm helps websites push pro-Beijing content: research Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2024 -- A Chinese company in the southern city of Shenzhen has assisted at least 123 websites operating in China but posing as local media outlets in 30 countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America to disseminate disinformation, according to a recent study.
Remarks by President Biden The White House 08 Feb 2024
Biden Denies Claims of Poor Document Handling, Contrasts Case with Trump's VOA 08 Feb 2024 -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday pushed back on claims he incorrectly handled sensitive government documents, forcefully contrasting his case with that of former President Donald Trump - and drawing a contrast with Trump's own high-stakes legal travails the same day the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could remove Trump from the presidential race.
Statement from President Joe Biden The White House 08 Feb 2024
Two indicted for publishing fake presidential election polls CNA 08 Feb 2024 -- Two men have been indicted for publishing fake polls before Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential election under the instruction of Chinese officials, for which they received funding, according to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office.
Five Eyes alliance smears China for hacking to cover up for itself: FM Global Times 08 Feb 2024 -- The Five Eyes alliance's repeated smearing and attacking China are merely to cover up the basic fact that the grouping itself is "the largest global intelligence agency and the US is the No.1 'hacking state' in the world,'' said a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, in response to the Five Eyes' warning against so-called Chinese hacker group Volt Typhoon.
Investigation: China's Hikvision, Dahua Security Cameras Heighten Risks Of Russian Attacks On Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Feb 2024 -- As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears the two-year mark, hundreds of thousands of Chinese-made Hikvision and Dahua video-surveillance cameras, used by government-run security systems, residences, and private companies throughout Ukraine, heighten the risks of attacks by the Russian military, Ukrainian digital-security experts and government officials fear.
Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrest in Two Separate Illicit Technology Transfer Schemes to Benefit Governments of China and Iran US Dept. of Justice 07 Feb 2024 -- In two separate cases out of U.S. Attorneys' Offices on opposite coasts, several individuals are charged - one of whom was arrested yesterday - in connection with sophisticated schemes to transfer sensitive technology, goods, and information for the benefit of hostile foreign adversaries, in violation of U.S. law.
EU reports on China's information manipulation targeting Taiwan CNA 07 Feb 2024 -- The European Union released its second Report on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Threats at the end of January, which stated that Ukraine was the most targeted country but also found the Asia Pacific, including Taiwan, to be under similar attacks.
China's state security authority calls for awareness of counterespionage when studying abroad Global Times 07 Feb 2024 -- China's top anti-espionage authority called for the public to enhance their awareness of counterespionage when studying abroad, after it published a case on its WeChat account on Wednesday, describing a story of an overseas university graduate who was recruited and turned to become a foreign spy by an intelligence agency while studying abroad, and engaged in espionage activities.
US Intelligence Warns of Growing Iranian-Houthi Weapons Cooperation VOA 07 Feb 2024 -- The United States is offering fresh evidence that Houthi attacks on international shipping are being carried out with weaponry designed by Iran, though some analysts and experts warn the findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of the U.S. actions against the Houthis and what it portends of Iran's weapons development program.
DIA report confirms the Houthis' use of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct attacks across the Middle East DIA 06 Feb 2024 -- DIA report confirms the Houthis' use of Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct attacks across Middle East
Sentencing of Dr Yang Jun Australia MFA 05 Feb 2024 -- The Australian Government is appalled that Australian citizen, Dr Yang Jun, has today received a suspended death sentence in Beijing.
Aus writer given suspended death sentence spied for Taiwan, Chinese court claims Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2024 -- The Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun given a suspended death sentence in China for espionage on Monday had spied for Taiwan, according to the verdict.
Australian writer given suspended death sentence in China Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2024 -- A Beijing court on Monday handed down a suspended death sentence to Yang Hengjun, a Chinese-Australian author detained on suspicion of espionage for more than five years without trial, according to media reports.
Australian national Yang Jun sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for espionage; his rights fully exercised: FM Global Times 05 Feb 2024 -- The Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court publicly pronounced the first-instance verdict on the espionage case of Australian national Yang Jun, in accordance with the law in which Yang was found guilty of espionage and was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve and all his personal property was confiscated, FM spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday.
Iran says tens of Israeli-linked spies, terrorists tracked down in 28 countries IRNA 03 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says it has tracked down tens of spies and terrorists affiliated with the Israeli regime in 28 countries across the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Two Years Into EU Ban, Russia's RT And Sputnik Are Still Accessible Across The EU RFE/RL 03 Feb 2024 -- BRUSSELS -- Deep within the heart of the European Union, inside the hulking buildings of the "European Quarter" in the Belgian capital, there is glaring evidence of the bloc's weakness.
Cyber Command Flag Passed to Air Force General at Fort Meade Ceremony DoD News 03 Feb 2024 -- Leaders from the Defense Department and intelligence community gathered at Fort Meade, Maryland, yesterday for the change of command ceremony of U.S. Cyber Command, as Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone passed the flag to Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh.
Iranian 'Spy Ship' In Spotlight As U.S. Seeks Retaliation Against Tehran RFE/RL 02 Feb 2024 -- Since a Tehran-backed militia in Iraq killed three U.S. soldiers in a drone trike in Jordan, there has been mounting speculation about how Washington might retaliate against Iran.
DIA's Intelligence Mission Valuable for U.S., Ally Security, Says Hicks DoD News 02 Feb 2024 -- The intelligence that Defense Intelligence Agency collects, analyzes and disseminates is indispensable to the Defense Department and the wider intelligence community, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.
Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Change of Directorship (As Delivered) DoD 02 Feb 2024
Iran Intelligence forces identify 'tens' of Mossad spies in 28 countries Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says its forces have identified a significant number of spies linked to the Israeli Mossad spy agency in 28 countries across the world.
Turkey arrests 34 people suspected of spying for Israel's Mossad Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- Turkish authorities have detained 34 people on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities and planning abductions on behalf of the Israel's Mossad spy agency, security sources say.
Former CIA employee given 40-year term for giving secrets to WikiLeaks Press TV 02 Feb 2024 -- A former CIA software engineer tried for leaking the US spy agency's most valuable hacking tools to WikiLeaks has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Former CIA Officer Joshua Adam Schulte Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison For Espionage And Child Pornography Crimes U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York 01 Feb 2024 -- Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced today that JOSHUA ADAM SCHULTE was sentenced to 40 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman for crimes of espionage, computer hacking, contempt of Court, making false statements to the FBI, and child pornography.

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