US senators warn China's Digital Yuan could compromise Olympic athletes
Meanwhile, Tokyo games ticket holder data leaks, and those affected can't even use their seats
Three US senators have written to their nation's Olympic Committee with a request that it "forbid American athletes from receiving or using Digital Yuan during the Beijing Olympics" – a reference to the Winter Games scheduled to commence on February 4th, 2022.
"While the Chinese Communist Party insists their efforts are aimed at digitizing bank notes and coins, Olympic athletes should be aware that the Digital Yuan may be used to surveil Chinese citizens and those visiting China on an unprecedented scale," wrote [PDF] Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming).
The conservative trio added that China "hopes that they [athletes] will maintain Digital Yuan wallets on their smartphones and continue to use it upon return.
"It is paramount the USOPC works with the US Department of State, the US Department of Treasury, and the US Department of Commerce to protect the privacy of American athletes from the Chinese Communist Government," the letter states, before requesting a briefing on the matter within 30 days.
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- China’s digital currency adds support for AliPay – the Alibaba payment app with over 700 million users
- Japan tests digital currency, because all the cool kids are doing it already
In other Olympic news, the Tokyo Games are under way and will be conducted without spectators in the stands — but those who bought tickets have a data leak to worry about.
Japanese outlet Kyodo News reports that government officials have admitted that user IDs and passwords of ticket purchasers have leaked.
Analysis from a Twitter user named @Louishur, who identifies himself as aligned with South Korean vendor NSHC Security, suggests credentials of ticket-holders and volunteers is accessible.
Other analysis suggests the leaks look like the result of the Redline malware.
People from around the world bought tickets for the Games ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic, or during the viral mess in which the world finds itself. It's unclear how many are at risk as a result of the leak as the Kyodo News report doesn't say how many accounts were compromised, but says the unnamed official who confirmed the leak added it is "not large". ®