Chinese hacking, spying and espionage: It’s not a novel plot, it’s real life.
And the real life plot thickens. The Feds are talking about stricter visa restrictions to keep Chinese nationals from US cyber conferences this summer, like the ones in Las Vegas. This is an attempt to slow down espionage. This includes the upcoming Black Hat and Def Con conferences. Leaders of this conferences aren’t liking this at all. Founder Jeff Moss tweeted, “…I don’t think it helps build positive community.” Some say the restrictions are pointless. Others call it ‘terrible’ and some even hinted racism. And it’s already happening. Last week, as many as twelve Chinese citizens were denied visas to attend a Space Fountain conference in Colorado.
I have to agree with the Black Hat and Def Con leaders on this one. What do these restriction bans going to accomplish? What they’re doing is punishing every Chinese visitor for something a handful of individuals did. That’s just ridiculous. And I don’t it will stop espionage. From what it sounds like, the conference leaders are siding with the potential visitors. This energy should be spent holding those already suspected of espionage accountable. But this decision borderlines racial discrimination. These conferences are supposed to be open and free societies, regardless of nationality. And how ironic this is from the same Feds that condoned the NSA spying on us all?