Protests in China this week in opposition to Covid restrictions and the nation’s authoritarian rule had been paying homage to the violent crackdown seen in Hong Kong two years in the past.
Since then the UK has given sanctuary to greater than 140,000 individuals from the previous British territory.
Lots of these utilized for visas by way of a domestically based mostly personal firm that carries out work on behalf of the Dwelling Workplace. However Newsnight and BBC Eye has realized of considerations over who has entry to the knowledge of these making use of for visas.
While the British authorities stresses any ultimate selections on visas are taken by vetted UK officers, outsourcing of the executive work may depart the info weak to Chinese language espionage.
A Dwelling Workplace spokesperson tells Newsnight that data captured by native Chinese language companions “is encrypted and securely transmitted to UKVI and subsequently routinely deleted from industrial accomplice programs.” It added, “Chinese language facility administration firms haven’t any entry to saved visa software information… and no affect on the integrity of the visa software course of or involvement in visa decision-making.”
Richard Watson has this unique story, which incorporates some flash images.
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