Several overseas Chinese nationals have recently reported that Chinese police are using “big data” to identify people who have lived abroad for extended periods and requiring them to provide information demonstrating that they are legally living and working overseas. The reports have sparked criticism online, with some users accusing authorities of expanding surveillance and control over Chinese citizens abroad.
On August 23, an Australia-based user said police contacted her family and then reached her through the local village committee, requesting proof of study, employment, and even salary records. Other users reported similar experiences. A Singapore-based user said police contacted her through WeChat and demanded photographs and employment documents, allegedly warning her of “consequences” if she refused.
On August 30, a U.S.-based user shared chat records showing that local police claimed to be using “big data” to identify long-term overseas residents and verify whether they were “legally living and working” abroad. Police reportedly requested passports, visas, photographs, video calls, and location sharing, but did not provide a clear legal basis for the requests.
Other accounts describe more intrusive measures. One overseas worker said Chinese police required her to unlock her phone and spent about two hours examining her photos, WeChat conversations, and Taobao, a Chinese online shopping platform, search history.
Source: NTDTV, September 2, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/mkt_ipad/2026/09/01/a104129222.html