The Chinese government may have stolen personal data from 80% of American adults, according to a “60 Minutes” report.
Bill Evanina, former director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, on Sunday appeared on CBS’ 60 Minutes when he warned that Beijing is attempting to collect and exploit Americans’ health care information, including their DNA.
According to the intelligence official, BGI Group — the world’s largest biotech firm — approached Washington and five other states with offers to build and run state-of-the-art coronavirus testing labs. The Chinese firm also promised to “provide technical expertise, high throughput sequences” and “make additional donations” to the states.
The offer raised suspicions, prompting Evanina to issue warnings to the states against taking up BGI Group’s proposal.
“Foreign powers can collect, store and exploit biometric information from covid tests,” the advisory read. “Knowing that BGI is a Chinese company, do we understand where that data’s going?”
www.ibtimes.com/china-has-stolen-personal-data-80-american-adults-report-3134525