Chinese tech may pose security risks, Germany warns

Chinese high-tech goods could pose security risks because data may be collected and passed to state agencies, Germany's domestic intelligence chief warned Monday.

Sinan Selen, head of the BfV domestic intelligence agency, told a hearing of parliament's intelligence oversight committee in Berlin that he viewed the issue “with great concern”.

“I already see substantial shortcomings that create potential for abuse,” Selen said. He said collected data could be passed on to “state agencies”, creating risks including the “potential shutdown of entire products”.

The warning comes as concern grows in Germany about reliance on Chinese technology, with sales rising for equipment ranging from electric vehicles to robot vacuum cleaners.

Germany and China have long had deep commercial ties, but relations have become more strained as Berlin worries about economic overreliance on China and as Chinese companies compete more directly with German manufacturers.

Berlin has already announced a phase-out of components from Chinese telecom companies in its 5G networks because of security concerns. It has also blocked or watered down attempted Chinese investments in strategic sectors such as chipmaking.

In 2023, the German government issued a strategy for managing relations with Beijing that described China as a “competitor and systemic rival” as well as a partner.