If You're a Foreigner Using GPS In China, You Could Be a Spy

tedlistens writes "China has accused Coca Cola of espionage for its 'illegal mapping,' allegedly with the use of GPS 'devices with ultra high sensitivity.' On its face the case looks like yet another example of China's aggressive sensitivity about its maps, no doubt heightened by its ongoing fracas with the U.S. over cyberwar. Li Pengde, deputy director of the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, said during a radio interview on Tuesday that the Coca Cola case was only one of 21 similar cases involving companies using GPS devices in Yunnan to 'illegally obtain classified information.' According to Chinese authorities, geographical data can be used by guided missiles to strike key military facilities — a concern that one GPS expert says is overblown at a time when the U.S. government already has high-precision satellite maps of China. Nevertheless, Chinese law dictates that foreigners, be they companies or individuals, are prohibited from using highly-sensitive GPS equipment in China."

Comments

Bad idea?

[enigma32]

Maybe they shouldn't have Coca-Cola deliver refreshments to their secret military installations? ;)

Re:The US is headed the same way, not as far along

[fustakrakich]

There was a time when the US stood for individual freedom...

When?

Re:Get out

[Tailhook]

Just get out of China.

But keep sending your food.

And keep sending us your industry.

Oh, your tech too. Keep sending that.

Otherwise, just stay the hell out, round-eye.

Re:Fuck China - No Fuck You

[ShanghaiBill]

China also owns most of US foreign debt.

Actually, China owns about 8% of our national debt.

Even if you only consider debt own by foreign countries, China owns only 26% of that, about the same as Japan.

Re:Legitimate complaint?

[tragedy]

Realistically what applications are there for a high-precision GPS outside of geological/territorial surveys and military intelligence?

Ooh, ooh, teacher, teacher! I know this one! It's knowing which freaking road you're on when there are several close together.

Seriously, what kind of question is that?

Re:The US is headed the same way, not as far along

[ShanghaiBill]

Before 1913.

In 1913 we had a president who openly advocated white supremacist policies and praised the KKK. Women were denied not only the vote, but many inheritance rights, right to serve on juries, and were openly discriminated against in education, financial services, and employment. The police regularly colluded in violently suppressing organized labor.

If you were a rich white guy, 1913 may have been the golden age. For everyone else, it wasn't so good.

China mapping

[Stiletto]

As someone who works for a company that does significant mapping business in China, I'm getting a kick out of these replies. It's funny how sensitive they are to GIS information and maps. The Chinese government has these silly rules about all maps having to show China's borders the way they imagine them to be, and you have to show certain islands and other sensitive areas as exaggerated in size. As long as you comply with their fairy tale, there's no problem. The GPS stuff is probably related. Anything that has the potential to show reality rather than the make-believe world is verboten.

I am an American

[Taco Cowboy]

and I live outside of America because my business is outside of the United States

And you know what ?

For the past decades I've been contacted by "someone" asking me for my "cooperation" so that they can use my company as a cover up to spy on the countries that my business has located branches and local contacts

When I told them that I do not want my company to be involved in some espionage activities "they" remind me of my "duty" to my country, that I should be "patriotic", that I should aid them in "defeating the enemies"

Of course, I can't tell you where my business branches are located - or they will know who I am

Just want you guys to know what is going on in the real world

Re:I am an American

[Anonymous Coward]

In Defense of TacoBoy, I've heard this story before, and it ends in destruction, disaster, courts for the next 30 years, prison and death. I am a veteran and I don't blame them for turning that insane shit down. Working for psychopaths isn't a good business move it always ends bad.

A TOY manufacturer was the victim. Ah here it is if you wanna read a little more: http://www.bobfletcherinvestigations.com/

"Bob merged his toy manufacturing company with a company that imported watches.
That company was called Vista USA INC. and was a covert operational front for US arms sales and covert mercenary training! "

I offer up this example cause it's no laughing matter. There's an interview worth listening to, if you have access to Coast to Coast Am archives: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2008/10/04

As far as the GPS in China thing, who cares, I don't need GPS in China, it's not my country, I'm not there, I'm here, and to boot I don't use GPS here either, and I certainly would not have been caught like "Coke" binding my standard business operations to it, regardless of what rationalization presented in favor.

Dear COKE, You are making Soda. What the fuck?

Re:Fuck USA

[poity]

Look at how Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Glenn Greenwald, Amy Goodman, and other critics of the US live and prosper in the US. Now, look at how their Chinese equivalents are dead, rotting away in jail, under house arrest, or in exile.

That's all you need know to understand that the statements "Fuck China" and "Fuck USA" are weighed differently.