The Expanding Reach: China’s Tech Dominance in Africa Raises Concerns of Soft Power

Chinese Tech Dominance Raises Concerns About Surveillance in Africa

Introduction

Chinese companies are rapidly deploying technology across Africa, including in areas such as telecommunications, mobile payments, smart cities, and underwater fiber networks. While this investment brings potential economic benefits to the region, there are concerns about the surveillance capabilities that may come along with it. In response, cybersecurity firm SentinelOne has launched the Undermonitored Regions Working Group (URWG), which aims to address the unique cybersecurity challenges faced in Africa. This report examines the concerns surrounding China‘s technology dominance in Africa and explores the efforts being made to counter potential surveillance risks.

The Surveillance Threat

According to a white paper by SentinelOne, there is a significant gap in cyber threat intelligence regarding Africa, particularly in understanding China‘s long-term agenda in the region. The security firm warns that China‘s investment in Africa may result in an intricate web of geopolitics and cyber threats. Tom Hegel, a senior threat researcher at SentinelOne, highlights the soft power diplomacy employed by China, where they cultivate cultural ties, nurture educational partnerships, and finance critical infrastructure projects. Chinese companies, such as Huawei and ZTE, have brought digital connectivity to remote corners of Africa and invested in projects laying subsea cables. However, concerns arise from the potential surveillance capabilities this connectivity enables, as well as the influence China gains over the financial stability and preferences of a significant portion of the African populace.

Technology Deployments and Surveillance Risks

Huawei technology is being used in various initiatives across Africa, including smart cities. These initiatives use facial recognition, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and 5G networks to enhance urban management, public safety, and economic development. However, since these cities operate on Chinese technology, there is concern that Beijing could gain real-time insights into population movements and more. In addition, Chinese-backed mobile banking platforms, such as M-Pesa, have millions of users and process billions of dollars in transactions annually. The migration of these platforms to Huawei’s Mobile Money Platform raises questions about data privacy and security. Furthermore, Chinese investors have entered the African market through platforms like OPay and PalmPay, further expanding Chinese influence in the region.

Undermonitored Regions Working Group

To address the unique cybersecurity challenges faced in Africa, SentinelOne has launched the URWG. This working group aims to expand industry knowledge of cyber threats in less-monitored regions, primarily Africa, by working with local experts and providing resources. It focuses on tracking state-sponsored threats and bringing together collective expertise to identify new threats and develop effective countermeasures. The URWG is a voluntary effort for security researchers, local experts, and others who can contribute to the work. The goal is to collaborate, provide intelligence to defenders, and improve understanding of threat activity in Africa.

Evidence of Chinese Threat

SentinelOne has revealed details of Operation Tainted Love, a series of targeted attacks conducted by Chinese threat actors against telecommunication, financial, and government entities across regions such as Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Another China-linked advanced persistent threat (APT) group, BackdoorDiplomacy, has operated across Africa, targeting governmental organizations in Kenya. The tactics used by BackdoorDiplomacy align with those deployed in Operation Tainted Love. Instances of targeted intrusions against industrial sectors in various African nations raise concerns about China‘s broader soft power and technological agenda in the region. SentinelOne’s findings suggest that these intrusions align with China‘s strategic telecommunication competition in Africa and target financial organizations relevant to Chinese investments in the region.

Editorial and Advice

China‘s rapid technology deployments in Africa raise legitimate concerns about data privacy, surveillance, and the potential for foreign influence. The increasing connectivity and reliance on Chinese technology in critical sectors such as telecommunications, finance, and smart cities give rise to surveillance risks that need to be addressed. While economic and infrastructure development are critical for African countries, it is imperative that they consider the potential long-term consequences of relying heavily on Chinese investments and technology.

The launch of the Undermonitored Regions Working Group is a positive step toward understanding and mitigating cyber threats in Africa. Collaboration between international cybersecurity experts, local entities, and governments is essential to developing effective countermeasures against potential surveillance and cyber threats. Increased funding and resources should be allocated to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, conduct thorough risk assessments, and promote transparency and accountability in technology deployments.

African governments should also prioritize the protection of citizens’ data privacy and enact comprehensive legislation to address privacy concerns in the digital age. Regular audits and assessments of critical infrastructure projects should be conducted to ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards and minimize surveillance risks. Additionally, diversifying technology partnerships and investments to reduce reliance on a single foreign power can help safeguard African sovereignty and national interests.

Conclusion

China‘s growing technological dominance in Africa comes with potential surveillance risks that need to be carefully addressed. The Undermonitored Regions Working Group’s efforts to expand industry knowledge of cyber threats in Africa are commendable. The collaboration between security researchers, local experts, and international entities can provide valuable insights and develop effective countermeasures against potential surveillance and cyber threats. African governments must also take measures to protect data privacy, strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, and reduce reliance on a single foreign power to safeguard their sovereignty and national security.