PLA develops phone software to spy on soldiers leaking secrets

Beijing: The Chinese military has developed a smartphone surveillance software that automatically alerts authorities if soldiers leak sensitive information or use their handset during blackouts.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, reported that the software can be installed or uninstalled remotely, ban access to specified websites, set restrictions on communication hours and screen for sensitive words.

The newspaper said the PLA Rocket (Missile) Force has already introduced the mobile phone security platform to better regulate smartphone use in the military.

The platform will automatically alert authorities if it detects any violations of Internet use, the report said. The new software is capable of tracking each user's telephone number and cell phone model, it said.

The software is still in its test phases. According to the newspaper, the software aims to better enforce management of mobile phone use among soldiers, as well as address fears of confidential information leaks.

Restrictions on smartphones have been a source of complaints among Chinese soldiers in the past. The software aims to create a "safe space for soldiers to surf the Internet," the PLA Daily report said.