FBI: China Hacking Uyghurs in the US

FBI Warns of Chinese Government Harassment of Uyghur Muslims in the U.S.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning regarding the Chinese government’s efforts to intimidate, silence, and harass Uyghur Muslims residing within the United States. These actions employ both physical and digital methods.

Allegations of Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang

The Chinese government has faced longstanding accusations concerning human rights violations in its treatment of the Uyghur population and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups located in the Xinjiang region of China. A United Nations human rights committee estimates that over a million Uyghurs are currently held in detention camps.

Furthermore, numerous Uyghurs have been targeted by state-sponsored cyberattacks and hacking attempts. Despite these allegations, China consistently denies any wrongdoing.

Escalating Transnational Repression

In recent months, the Chinese government has demonstrably increased its efforts to suppress foreign criticism. This includes individuals located in the U.S. and other Western democratic nations. Consequently, the FBI has taken notice of these developments.

An unclassified bulletin from the FBI details the use of transnational repression – defined as a foreign government’s violation of national boundaries through physical and digital means to intimidate or silence diaspora and exile communities. This is being utilized to coerce compliance from Uyghurs and other Chinese refugees and dissidents based in the U.S.

Forms of Harassment and Intimidation

The FBI bulletin outlines a range of threatened consequences for non-compliance. These include the detainment of family members or friends in China, the confiscation of assets located in China, ongoing digital and in-person harassment, attempts by the Chinese government to force repatriation, computer hacking, and the spread of disinformation online.

This information was initially reported by the video surveillance news website, IPVM.

Specific Instances of Harassment

The FBI highlighted several specific cases of harassment targeting U.S.-based individuals. In one instance, occurring in June, the Chinese government detained dozens of relatives of six Uyghur journalists working for Radio Free Asia. This action was taken in retaliation for their reporting on China’s repression of Uyghurs.

Between 2019 and March 2021, Chinese officials reportedly used the WeChat messaging platform to contact a U.S.-based Uyghur individual, attempting to dissuade her from publicly discussing the mistreatment of Uyghurs. Subsequently, members of her family were detained in Xinjiang detention camps.

Continued Activity Despite Sanctions

“Despite U.S. government sanctions imposed on Chinese officials and increased diplomatic efforts to address human rights and democratic abuses in Xinjiang over the past year, the Chinese government continues to engage in these activities,” the FBI states. “Such transnational repression constitutes a violation of U.S. laws and individual rights.”

Call for Reporting

The FBI is urging U.S. law enforcement personnel, as well as the general public, to report any suspected instances of harassment perpetrated by the Chinese government.

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