At the 12th China International Police Equipment Expo held in Beijing, a series of AI-driven high-tech surveillance tools were prominently displayed, focusing on Telegram users and VPN circumvention activities, sparking widespread concern about the upgrade of China's internet surveillance capabilities.
The expo, organized by the Ministry of Public Security, featured participants including the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, and several technology companies from Nanjing and Shenzhen, showcasing the latest generation of "intelligence collection—risk identification—behavior intervention" full-chain AI monitoring systems.
Deep penetration into Telegram communities: 70 million accounts monitored
A surveillance system exhibited by the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security attracted significant attention. The system reportedly monitors about 70 million Telegram accounts and 390,000 channels, accumulating over 30 billion pieces of information. It specifically focuses on drug trafficking, political dissent, and issues related to Hong Kong, and extracts targeted information and identifies identities by infiltrating Chinese mainland mobile numbers linked with Telegram.
The institute's staff explained that the system utilizes AI models and cross-analysis of behavioral data to automatically identify potential "high-risk users." Its underlying technology architecture is based on the domestically developed open-source platform Dify, which supports localized data processing and model training.
Another key product displayed, the "Multi-dimensional Intelligence Analysis System for Individual Extreme Behavior," specializes in comprehensive user behavior profiling. By integrating individuals' shopping records, search engine keywords, and social platform interaction trajectories from both public and semi-public data, the platform can identify risk tags and quickly screen for potential "individuals with extreme tendencies" without human intervention.
VPN detection technology emerges, making circumvention difficult
In another area, a "VPN Behavior Recognition System" introduced by a private technology company in Nanjing drew considerable attention. The system claims to detect VPN connection statuses, node locations, and transmission protocols in real-time, and, combined with traffic fingerprint technology, determines whether a user is engaged in "illegal circumvention."
Company personnel revealed that the technology can be integrated with carrier data and local client deployments to achieve "unperceived tracking and targeting," particularly suitable for cross-border public opinion source tracing and anonymous communication investigations.
AI leads "intelligent interrogation" and psychological analysis systems
The application of artificial intelligence technology in criminal investigation phases was also a highlight of the expo. Some manufacturers displayed an "intelligent interrogation system" that can be used for suspect questioning, claiming to analyze the psychological state of the interrogated in real-time through semantic recognition, facial expression capture, and emotion modeling, assisting investigators in breaking through psychological defenses.
Additionally, AI psychological testing and behavior prediction tools are widely used in security and intelligence scenarios. For example, a device known as the "Micro-expression Recognizer" can determine within 10 seconds whether a person's emotional changes are consistent with their verbal statements, helping to preliminarily identify potential lies.
Network security and national security are intertwined, data control becomes stricter
The core slogan of this expo was "No network security, no national security," with security confidentiality being the absolute main theme. Security control within the exhibition hall was strict, with confidential exhibits requiring real-name verification for entry, and related manuals only available for law enforcement personnel, not disclosed to the public.
According to the South China Morning Post, the government is enhancing the protection level of confidential equipment and advancing the construction of the national secret protection and information security system through legislation. The Chinese government has recently encouraged enterprises to develop new information security and encryption devices, providing special funds and policy support for projects with "significant independent innovation capabilities."
Industry observers note that as global internet confrontations intensify, China is accelerating the construction of a domestically led information control system. Whether it is the systematic penetration of encrypted communication tools like Telegram or the real-time crackdown on circumvention behaviors, the official strategy of "digital sovereignty" in information control is deepening.
