Wearable tech has gained a powerful new enemy, with the Chinese army banning use of the blossoming array of gadgets.
From the Apple Watch to Google Glass, the military force has forbidden use of all wearable tech products.
This isn’t due to clashes with the country’s natty uniforms, but heightening security concerns.
According to The People’s Liberation Army Daily – China’s official military newspaper – the ban was sparked after a soldier received a smartwatch as a birthday present from his girlfriend.
It is reported that army officials sought expert advice after the recruit used the wrist-based gadget to take a picture of his regiment on duty while stationed in Nanjing.
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Materials distributed around army personnel add: “The moment a soldier puts on a device that can record high-definition audio and video, take photos, and process and transmit data, it’s very possible for him or her to be tracked or to reveal military secrets.”
Here in Blighty, most smartwatch owners are more concerned with ailing battery lives than sharing national secrets.
So, if you’ve just splashed out on a Moto 360 or Samsung Gear S, you might want to avoid signing up for a tour of duty with the Chinese military.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
