According to reports by Hitech+, the PRC uses technological solutions to automate data collection on overseas citizens of Chinese origin. This allows authorities to find influential individuals and potential participants in influence operations in other states.
The Smart Eye System and CCP Objectives
The existence of such a program was revealed through documents obtained by the intelligence organization NetAskari. It concerns a platform called the "Overseas Chinese Big Data System" (Smart Eye), which has been functioning since at least 2022.
The operation of the platform is managed by the United Front Work Department, a structure of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This agency is responsible for building connections with organizations and influential figures both within the country and abroad. The structure's primary tasks include promoting narratives favorable to Beijing and finding individuals willing to facilitate China's interests in scientific, economic, and political spheres.
NVIDIA Scandal
Information regarding the scale of the Chinese authorities' operations emerged amid a high-profile incident in the technology industry. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang resigned after admitting to an affair with Alice Huang, who is described as an alleged Chinese spy. According to available information, she collected data on the company's executive and facilitated the illegal export of graphics accelerators to China.
