Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a spyware campaign going on against Uyghurs by “masquerading” as Android apps. The spyware is allegedly embedded in&nbsp;messaging services, prayer time and dictionary apps to spy on the activities of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region.&nbsp;

Researchers say that the spyware is connected to a Chinese government-backed hacking group&nbsp;and can be used to track people and activities deemed “pre-crime” and see if someone is engaging in or is likely to engage in religious extremist or separatist activities. “Pre-crime” activities include using a virtual private network (VPN) or sharing any kind of religious content which can lead to being detained in a re-education camp.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-is-china-so-angry-over-un-report-on-xinjiang-512418#where-is-xinjiang-and-why-is-it-important-to-china-512404">Why is China so angry over the UN report on Xinjiang?</a>

According to the report, the surveillance campaign primarily targets Uyghurs in China, but there is also evidence that those behind the campaign were also looking to target Uyghurs in Muslim-majority countries like Afghanistan and Turkey. Turkey is home to the largest Uyghur diaspora outside of Central Asia with an estimated 50,000 Uyghurs living there.

The 'masquerading' Android apps are typically found on unofficial app stores because Google Play is blocked in China, according to the report, and also spread through messaging services including Telegram.

Researchers also said that many apps with spyware collect various types of device data like location, contacts, call logs, and wi-fi information, can also record phone calls and take pictures. The researchers also found that newer iterations of Moonshine, an Android exploit first discovered in 2019 by the University of Toronto’s research group Citizen Lab, implement spyware in popular apps including WhatsApp and Telegram as well as “versions of Muslim cultural apps, Uyghur-language tools, or prayer apps”.

China’s mass surveillance system and its targeting of Uyghurs have been well-documented in the past few years. Several Chinese surveillance and camera companies have been placed on the US entity list for complicity in human rights violations.

The UN has also found that China is responsible for “serious human rights violations” against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

(With input from agencies)

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Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a spyware campaign going on against Uyghurs by “masquerading” as Android apps. The spyware is allegedly embedded in messaging services, prayer time and dictionary apps to spy on the activities of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region.

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a spyware campaign going on against Uyghurs by “masquerading” as Android apps. The spyware is allegedly embedded in messaging services, prayer time and dictionary apps to spy on the activities of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. Researchers say that the spyware is connected to a Chinese government-backed hacking group and can be used to track people and activities deemed “pre-crime” and see if someone is engaging in or is likely to engage in religious extremist or separatist activities. “Pre-crime” activities include using a virtual private network (VPN) or sharing any kind of religious content which can lead to being detained in a re-education camp. Also Read | Why is China so angry over the UN report on Xinjiang? According to the report, the surveillance campaign primarily targets Uyghurs in China, but there is also evidence that those behind the campaign were also looking to target Uyghurs in Muslim-majority countries like Afghanistan and Turkey. Turkey is home to the largest Uyghur diaspora outside of Central Asia with an estimated 50,000 Uyghurs living there. The 'masquerading' Android apps are typically found on unofficial app stores because Google Play is blocked in China, according to the report, and also spread through messaging services including Telegram. Researchers also said that many apps with spyware collect various types of device data like location, contacts, call logs, and wi-fi information, can also record phone calls and take pictures. The researchers also found that newer iterations of Moonshine, an Android exploit first discovered in 2019 by the University of Toronto’s research group Citizen Lab, implement spyware in popular apps including WhatsApp and Telegram as well as “versions of Muslim cultural apps, Uyghur-language tools, or prayer apps”. China’s mass surveillance system and its targeting of Uyghurs have been well-documented in the past few years. Several Chinese surveillance and camera companies have been placed on the US entity list for complicity in human rights violations. The UN has also found that China is responsible for “serious human rights violations” against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (With input from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spyware embedded in various Android apps keeping vigil on Uyghurs, their activities: Report

As of yesterday, imports from China's Xinjiang region were prohibited in the United States under new laws. Firms will have to certify that goods from the region are not made using forced labour under the laws. Members of the region's minority Uyghur group, who are primarily Muslim, have been arrested and forced to work, according to US authorities. China has often denied allegations that it holds Uyghurs in Xinjiang internment camps.

Several products from the resource-rich region have previously been prohibited in the United States, including cotton and tomatoes. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which is set to take effect today, will extend the restrictions to all imports.

According to the US Congress, since April 2017, China has jailed over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. 
 
Watch | New leaked reports on Uighurs Muslims in China shocks the world

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It claims that tens of thousands of inmates have worked in Xinjiang and other regions "under the cover of poverty alleviation and industrial aid programmes" for "a fraction of the minimum wage or without any remuneration."

According to the report, China also "interferes with audits and traditional due diligence efforts in Xinjiang to vet commodities and supply chains, including by intimidating possible witnesses and concealing crucial information."

China has denied using forced labour, claiming that the Xinjiang camps are "re-education" centres designed to combat terrorism. 
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As of yesterday, imports from China's Xinjiang region were prohibited in the United States under new laws. Firms will have to certify that goods from the region are not made using forced labour under the laws.

As of yesterday, imports from China's Xinjiang region were prohibited in the United States under new laws. Firms will have to certify that goods from the region are not made using forced labour under the laws. Members of the region's minority Uyghur group, who are primarily Muslim, have been arrested and forced to work, according to US authorities. China has often denied allegations that it holds Uyghurs in Xinjiang internment camps. Several products from the resource-rich region have previously been prohibited in the United States, including cotton and tomatoes. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which is set to take effect today, will extend the restrictions to all imports. According to the US Congress, since April 2017, China has jailed over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. Watch | New leaked reports on Uighurs Muslims in China shocks the world It claims that tens of thousands of inmates have worked in Xinjiang and other regions "under the cover of poverty alleviation and industrial aid programmes" for "a fraction of the minimum wage or without any remuneration." According to the report, China also "interferes with audits and traditional due diligence efforts in Xinjiang to vet commodities and supply chains, including by intimidating possible witnesses and concealing crucial information." China has denied using forced labour, claiming that the Xinjiang camps are "re-education" centres designed to combat terrorism. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uyghur genocide: US prohibits imports from China's Xinjiang region

As United Nations' Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet visits China, Uyghurs have urged her to avoid falling victim to a public relations stunt and ask hard questions in Xinjiang.

Bachelet's six-day trip has entered a delicate new phase with visits to the cities of Urumqi and Kashgar in the remote region of Xinjiang on Tuesday (May 24) and Wednesday (May 25).

The outskirts of both the cities are dotted with what are believed to be detention camps, part of a large network of freshly constructed facilities that stretches across the remote province.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Xi Jinping ordered the Genocide against Uighurs

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Urumqi, the regional capital with a population of 4 million, has a sizable Uyghur population. It also houses key government agencies accused of orchestrating China's province-wide crackdown.

Meanwhile, Kashgar, an Uyghur heartland city with a population of 700,000, is an ancient Silk Road hub that has also been heavily targeted by Beijing's campaign.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leaked-database-shows-thousands-of-uyghurs-held-in-detention-by-china-479843">Leaked database shows thousands of Uyghurs held in detention by China</a>

China's ruling communist party has long been accused of detaining over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities as part of a years-long security crackdown. The United States has labelled this a "genocide".

However, China has vehemently denied the allegations and called the allegations "the lie of the century".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-chief-to-visit-china-from-monday-including-xinjiang-480734">UN rights chief to visit China from Monday, including Xinjiang</a>

Campaigners fear that Chinese authorities would prevent Bachelet from conducting a comprehensive investigation into alleged human rights violations, instead giving her a stage-managed tour with limited access.

The US has expressed deep concern that she had not secured guarantees on what she will witness, saying she is unlikely to get an "unbiased" assessment of China's human rights situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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As United Nations' Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet visits China, Uyghurs have urged her to avoid falling victim to a public relations stunt and ask hard questions in Xinjiang.

As United Nations' Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet visits China, Uyghurs have urged her to avoid falling victim to a public relations stunt and ask hard questions in Xinjiang. Bachelet's six-day trip has entered a delicate new phase with visits to the cities of Urumqi and Kashgar in the remote region of Xinjiang on Tuesday (May 24) and Wednesday (May 25). The outskirts of both the cities are dotted with what are believed to be detention camps, part of a large network of freshly constructed facilities that stretches across the remote province. Watch | Gravitas: Xi Jinping ordered the Genocide against Uighurs Urumqi, the regional capital with a population of 4 million, has a sizable Uyghur population. It also houses key government agencies accused of orchestrating China's province-wide crackdown. Meanwhile, Kashgar, an Uyghur heartland city with a population of 700,000, is an ancient Silk Road hub that has also been heavily targeted by Beijing's campaign. Also read | Leaked database shows thousands of Uyghurs held in detention by China China's ruling communist party has long been accused of detaining over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities as part of a years-long security crackdown. The United States has labelled this a "genocide". However, China has vehemently denied the allegations and called the allegations "the lie of the century". Also read | UN rights chief to visit China from Monday, including Xinjiang Campaigners fear that Chinese authorities would prevent Bachelet from conducting a comprehensive investigation into alleged human rights violations, instead giving her a stage-managed tour with limited access. The US has expressed deep concern that she had not secured guarantees on what she will witness, saying she is unlikely to get an "unbiased" assessment of China's human rights situation. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uyghurs urge UN rights chief to ask hard questions in Xinjiang and not be misled by 'PR stunts'