90 Miles From Tyranny : Team USA warns athletes to leave phones behind to avoid China spying during Olympics

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Saturday, January 15, 2022

Team USA warns athletes to leave phones behind to avoid China spying during Olympics


The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is advising American athletes to leave their personal phones behind and instead use temporary “burner” phones to avoid being spied on when they go to Beijing, China next month.

The advice to athletes was reportedly shared in an advisory document in September and then a bulletin in December, the Wall Street Journal first reported on Friday. The bulletin reportedly advised athletes that their “every device, communication, transaction and online activity may be monitored.”

“Your device(s) may also be compromised with malicious software, which could negatively impact future use,” the bulletin added.

The advice to leave their primary personal phones behind and instead use temporary “burner” phones could cause further challenges for athletes during these Olympic Games. Athletes who follow the advice to leave their phones behind may find it harder to stay in contact with their family members, who are not allowed to attend this year’s games. China has banned all overseas spectators from attending the 2022 Winter Olympic games.

Athletes might also find it difficult to access their social media accounts from a burner phone. Many athletes are reliant on their social media accounts to promote themselves. Self-promotion on social media is an important way many modern athletes are able to get and maintain endorsements.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. isn’t the only country that has advised added precautions against cyber-surveillance and malicious...




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