Countries Rely on Chinese Networks for Mobile Traffic, Raising Cybersecurity Concerns

As global digital networks grow increasingly interconnected, an alarming number of countries are relying on Chinese networks to transport mobile user traffic, opening the door to potential cyber risks and surveillance. A recent analysis highlights how mobile operators in 35 countries, including U.S. allies like Japan, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand, are dependent on Chinese telecom infrastructure. This situation raises significant questions about privacy, data security, and the potential for state-sponsored espionage.

The Expansion of Chinese Telecom Influence

A striking revelation from the analysis published recently shows that mobile providers in 35 countries rely on networks from China Mobile International, China Telecom Global, China Unicom Global, and other China-based or Hong Kong-headquartered companies. According to iVerify, these 60 mobile operators depend on Chinese interconnect services to facilitate everything from device authentication to call setup and data management.

The role these Chinese telecom giants play in the global mobile backbone is far from insignificant. With such access, these entities are in prime positions to intercept sensitive data and, potentially, engage in surveillance, all while operating under the influence or direction of the Chinese government. This creates not only vulnerabilities in mobile networks but also risks related to global surveillance and cyber espionage.

The Global Reach of Chinese Networks

Countries across the world, from Japan and Saudi Arabia to New Zealand, are involved in using China’s mobile infrastructure. The risks are especially concerning for travelers in these countries who may unknowingly become targets of surveillance. While there is a general awareness that devices should be handled with caution when traveling to China, iVerify’s findings suggest that Chinese telecom technology is far more pervasive than many realize. The research indicates that the same concerns about data security and potential surveillance apply to numerous countries that employ these Chinese networks.

For years, the U.S. has been concerned about Chinese tech giants like Huawei and ZTE infiltrating the nation’s telecom networks. The American government has allocated billions to remove these Chinese-made products from critical infrastructure. Moreover, recent high-profile cyberattacks, like the Salt Typhoon breach, have only deepened the unease around Chinese involvement in global telecom.

The analysis from iVerify points out that the risk goes beyond simple surveillance. The sheer volume of data passing through Chinese-run telecom networks, coupled with the lack of encryption in some cases, opens the door for cyber espionage. This has led to calls for more stringent regulations to prevent data from being routed in a way that exposes sensitive information.

What Undercode Say:

The issue at hand isn’t simply about surveillance; it’s about control over global communication infrastructure. As the study underscores, Chinese companies have become integral to the mobile backbone of the world, providing key services in multiple regions. Given their ties to the Chinese government, there’s an undeniable risk that this control could be leveraged for political and strategic purposes. This underscores an evolving trend in global geopolitics where technology and cyber capabilities are increasingly wielded as tools for influence and power.

Mobile networks are critical for everything from everyday communication to financial transactions, and any vulnerabilities in their architecture could lead to significant security breaches. The use of Chinese telecom providers in multiple countries raises an uncomfortable question: are these networks providing value to consumers, or are they subtly laying the groundwork for widespread surveillance? If Chinese companies are given unfettered access to this infrastructure, there are legitimate concerns that they could be co-opted for government-directed cyber espionage.

Additionally, while encryption standards exist in some parts of the telecom world, they are far from universally applied. Some data—such as metadata—is often left unencrypted to ensure communication routing works seamlessly. But, as iVerify’s Rocky Cole suggests, it may be time to revisit whether such information truly needs to remain in the clear. The growing sophistication of global cyber threats makes the current model ripe for scrutiny. While it may be convenient to keep certain data unencrypted for operational purposes, it is clear that this convenience may be costing us dearly in terms of security.

The ability to trace a call, track

Fact Checker Results:

35 countries are confirmed to rely on Chinese networks, with key players including Japan, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand.
The Chinese government’s involvement with telecom companies raises concerns about potential surveillance and data interception.
Encryption standards need to be reviewed to address vulnerabilities in the global mobile infrastructure.