GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), in collaboration with international and industry partners, has issued a global alert regarding two dangerous spyware applications – MOONSHINE and BADBAZAAR – aiming to help vulnerable communities protect themselves from digital surveillance.
The NCSC revealed detailed advisories warning against these malicious mobile apps that target individuals in Uyghur, Tibetan, and Taiwanese communities, as well as civil society groups.
These spyware apps exploit the technique of “trojanising,” where malicious functions are embedded within seemingly legitimate applications to collect sensitive data and enable surveillance.
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Spyware Apps Designed to Enable Harassment and Surveillance
The MOONSHINE and BADBAZAAR malware have been observed accessing devices’ microphones, cameras, messages, photos, and real-time location data without user consent or awareness.
The advisories highlight how these apps specifically target individuals connected to topics considered sensitive or destabilizing by the Chinese state.
Apps like “Tibet One” and “Audio Quran,” built to cater to native language speakers, and counterfeit versions of popular apps like WhatsApp and Skype, have been found in forums frequented by at-risk users.
According to the NCSC, these spyware apps are part of a systematic attempt to intimidate and monitor communities internationally, including those advocating for Taiwanese independence, Tibetan rights, Uyghur Muslims, democracy activists in Hong Kong, and members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
New Advice to Protect Individuals
The NCSC, along with cybersecurity agencies from Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the United States, has released advice aimed at helping individuals secure their devices against such threats.
The guidance strongly encourages affected individuals to avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources, exercise caution, and regularly update device security settings.
Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at the NCSC, underscored the importance of vigilance:
“With our international and industry partners, we are committed to helping equip individuals at risk of online surveillance with the information they need to counter spyware threats. The use of these two forms of spyware to silence and monitor communities is unacceptable, and we urge individuals to follow the advice in our advisory to protect their data and devices.”
The NCSC has also released a second advisory containing technical analyses of MOONSHINE and BADBAZAAR, alongside recommendations for app store operators, developers, and social media platforms to enhance user safety.
This advisory highlights steps to identify and remove malicious software, prevent trojanised apps, and improve overall cybersecurity measures.
The NCSC’s efforts emphasize the global rise in digital threats aimed at silencing marginalized communities.
By partnering with governments and industry experts, the organization is working to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the evolving landscape of cyber surveillance.
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