China To Build Spy-proof Smartphones

China To Build Spy-proof Smartphones

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For years digital security experts have worried over possible backdoors implemented into equipment manufactured at Chinese factories. Over the years there have been several reports of backdoor being found in CPUs in use in the DoD’s computers. Code implemented at this level could allow an attacker to spy or even take control of the affected system. It now emerges that the Chinese have been having the same sort of fears all along.

China is planning to manufacture its very own secure smartphone in an attempt to lock down any possible avenue for US surveillance. This move should come as no surprise in the current, post-Edward Snowden climate. Now that the extent of NSA surveillance has been revealed, it is clear that we should all be worried about who is listening in to what conversations.

This decision comes as part of Chinese efforts to build a homegrown tech industry, through state-owned companies, and to cut off US influence on its domestic technology market.

Like elsewhere, the majority of smartphones used in China are either Apple’s iPhones or are powered by variants of Google’s Android operating system. Snowden’s revelations that the NSA implemented backdoors in some US gadgets and devices, especially those sold in foreign markets, has the Chinese on edge.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer ZTE Corp. is working on a secure device for government agencies using a domestically developed operating system, a spokesman for the company said. The smartphone will run on a processor made by a Chinese manufacturer. Spreadtrum Communications Inc, China’s second-largest chip design company, are also working on a set of chips that will run a Chinese operating system.

James Yan, an analyst at market research firm IDC, estimates that secure phone will only make three percent of sales next year in China – about two million units. But if the market share of secure devices were to grow, this could seriously affect Google’s sales.