Electronic gifts used to spy on Chen Guangcheng

[PeterCriss]

Electronic gifts used to spy on Chen Guangcheng
Staff Reporter 2013-06-22 18:10

Chen Guangcheng. (Internet photo)

An iPad and iPhone given to Chinese human right activist and lawyer Chen Guangcheng as gifts by his supporters in the United States last year were found to be installed with spyware, which intended to track the activist's movement and communication with others, reports our Chinese-language sister paper China Times.

The two devices were reportedly given by Heidi Cai, one of first people to welcome Chen when he arrived in the US to study at New York University. Cai is the wife of Bob Fu, an activist who helps underground churchs in China and victims of forced abortions.

Jerome Cohen, a professor of law at the university who arranged Chen's fellowship, said the university's technicians found the spyware within a few days after the activist received the devices. The iPad was wiped clean and returned to Chen at his request.

Another source said at least three other electronic devices given to Chen were also installed with spyware. Cai said she and her husband wanted Chen to have the devices so he could keep in contact with his family in China and they had no idea that the iPad had been compromised by the software.

Chen accused the university last week of succumbing to pressure from China after they revealed that they would be pulling his fellowship position.