The Security Intelligence Service chief warns that several New Zealanders have come dangerously close to inadvertently sharing sensitive information with actors linked to China’s military.
New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Five Eyes partners have warned that China’s military is using platforms such as LinkedIn to actively target professionals who may have access to sensitive government and defence information, particularly individuals holding national security clearances.
Intelligence agencies say China’s military has adopted what they describe as an “aggressive online recruitment strategy,” using bogus freelance roles, often framed as foreign policy or defence analyst positions, to lure targets and then press successful applicants into disclosing sensitive or classified information.
SIS Director-General Andrew Hampton said the activity is widespread and growing but noted that in most cases people simply ignore the approaches rather than engaging with them or sharing information.
“But there have been instances in New Zealand over the last couple of years where individuals have unwittingly been pulled into engaging with what we now know as the PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] military intelligence,” he added.
Hampton described the issue as a serious espionage concern.
“In the investigations that we have been involved with, we have been able to head off the activity before it got to the point where any sensitive information had been passed over,” he said.
Hampton warned there is a “real risk” some attempts could succeed, noting the SIS is “not all-seeing and all-knowing” and cannot monitor or prevent every covert approach aimed at New Zealanders.
“Five Eyes agencies have identified individuals who have undertaken these activities, leading to criminal prosecutions, job losses, and security-clearance revocation,” it said.
A Five Eyes assessment said some attempts have already succeeded, though it did not identify which country they occurred in. The document added that intelligence agencies have identified individuals involved, with consequences including criminal prosecutions, job losses, and the revocation of security clearances.
Meanwhile, Hampton urged anyone with access to sensitive or classified information to be cautious about what they share online about themselves and to treat unsolicited professional or networking approaches with heightened suspicion.
“We’re not saying don’t use social media or professional networking sites – just don’t tell the world you hold a national security clearance or work with sensitive government or military information.”