Thread by @ContextNewsroom

⚡️ Forget the Olympic athletes, it's the tech that's going for gold at #Beijing2022.

⭕️ But could some of the new gadgets and tools lead to a privacy nightmare?

🇨🇳 We look at 5 innovations creating a buzz at the #Olympics. 🧵👇

news.trust.org/item/202201311…

1️⃣ Robot chefs

👩‍🍳 Visitors can expect some of their food to be prepared and served by friendly robots.

🍔 They can make hamburgers, serve ice cream and coffee, and even deliver room service.

⭕️ They also ensure social distancing and help sanitise areas.
news.trust.org/item/202201311…

2️⃣ Digital yuan

🏦 The Olympics will be the first major test for foreigners to use the digital yuan, a central bank digital currency.

The digital coin has been trialled across China.

👁 But CBDCs are vulnerable to cyber attacks and can increase surveillance, tech experts warn.

3️⃣ App surveillance

📱 The Olympics' COVID-19 monitoring app has security weaknesses that can expose users to data breaches, say @CitizenLab.

⭕️ But authorities have explained that its main purpose is to monitor people's health, and that it follows strict rules to protect data.

4️⃣ Phone monitoring

📱 Cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0 advised attendees to buy a new phone to use only while in China.

@TeamUSA were encouraged to use a new device.

🇳🇱Dutch athletes have been told to not bring their phones and laptops to avoid the risk of being spied on.

5️⃣ Unrestricted internet

⚡️China has promised unrestricted internet access for foreign athletes.

💻This means sites normally blocked in the country, like Facebook and Twitter, can be accessed.

⭕️But using Chinese WiFi to connect opens visitors up to surveillance, experts warn.

👁 @HRW says visitors going to @Beijing2022 could be subjected to an "Orwellian surveillance state."

😲 But authorities say the new tech is a leap into the future.

⭕️ Read more from reporter @RinaChandran: news.trust.org/item/202201311…