China’s Ministry of State Security has issued a warning to office workers about the potential espionage risks posed by online work tools, citing repeated incidents of data leaks in recent years. The ministry highlighted the dangers on its official WeChat account on Sunday, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance.

According to the ministry, many online platforms incorporate sophisticated “dark technology” functions that blend social and office work features, making them susceptible to exploitation. Examples of risky applications include instant communication tools, format conversion utilities, file transfer services, and group discussion platforms.

Uploading confidential files to these platforms significantly increases the risk of sensitive data being “stolen” by overseas spying and intelligence agencies, the ministry stated. As a preventive measure, it urged that the use of such tools for handling confidential information should be “strictly prohibited.”

The ministry’s warning underscores the growing concern about cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive information in an increasingly digital workplace.