Winter Olympics: Dutch athletes warned to keep phones, laptops out of China

Beijing: Authorities have directed Dutch team members to be equipped with unused devices, in a bid to protect their personal data from Chinese espionage, Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant reported.

Dutch athletes competing in Beijing Winter Olympics will leave their phones and laptops at home in an unprecedented move to avoid Chinese surveillance.

The newspaper citing sources said that the urgent advice to athletes and supporting staff to not bring any personal devices to China was part of a set of measures proposed by the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOCNSF) to deal with any possible interference by Chinese state agents.

The committee issued the advisory to prevent interference by Chinese state agents.

NOCNSF spokesman Geert Slot said cybersecurity was part of the risk assessment made for the trip to China, but declined to comment on any specific measure.

“The importance of cybersecurity of course has grown over the years”, Slot said. “But China has completely closed off its internet, which makes it a specific case.”

At least 30 Dutch athletes are set to compete in Beijing Olympics, mainly in the speed and short track skating events.

However, China is removing its internet censorship, known as the Great Firewall, for the athletes so that they can use social media platforms, but experts warn that the authorities will still be monitoring social media.