Belgium Fears China Is Spying Via Alibaba's Logistics Software at Liège Airport

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Vberger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Belgian State Security Service (VSSE) has been monitoring Alibaba’s main logistics hub in Europe which has introduced software systems that collate sensitive data at its logistics hub in Liège, Europe’s fifth-largest cargo airport.

Cainiao’s software used to streamline logistics procedures is part of Alibaba’s “electronic world trade platform” (EWTP).

The security service said the presence of Alibaba “constitutes a point of attention for the VSSE” because of legislation forcing Chinese companies to share their data with Chinese authorities and intelligence services. “China has the intent and capacity to use this data for non-commercial purposes,” the agency said.

“The main concern is that this platform, alongside a couple of other logistical platforms that the Chinese have been proposing to Europe…