FBI urges Winter Olympic athletes to use burner phones during 2022 Beijing Games

US agency advises athletes to leave their phones at home for the Games

Citing cybersecurity threats, the FBI has advised Olympic athletes to leave their phones at home during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, according to a notice released on Monday. EPA

The FBI has advised Olympic athletes to use temporary phones while competing in the 2022 Winter Games, according to a notice released on Monday.

Citing the risk of cybersecurity threats, the US law enforcement agency urged athletes to leave their mobile devices at home.

“The National Olympic Committees in some western countries are also advising their athletes to leave personal devices at home or use temporary phones due to cybersecurity concerns at the Games," according to the statement.

In 2018, Russian cyber actors disrupted the opening ceremony of the Winter Games held in PyeongChang, South Korea, the FBI said.

It said it was not aware of any specific cyber threats against the 2022 Olympics.

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  The Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre in northern China's Hebei Province. The venue will host ski jumping and nordic combined competition at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. AP

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  The National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in northern China's Hebei Province will host cross-country skiing and nordic combined competitions during the Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host the ice hockey competition. AP

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  The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing will host speed skating competition. AP

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  The Beijing Medals Plaza will host some of the medal ceremonies at the Winter Games. AP

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  The Beijing National Aquatics Centre will host the curling competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park will host the freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions. AP

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  The National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing. AP

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  The Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host short track speed skating and figure skating competitions. AP

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  The Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre. AP

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  The National Indoor Stadium in Beijing will host ice hockey competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Big Air Shougang course will host the big air competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Yanqing National Sliding Centre on the outskirts of Beijing will host bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton competitions at the Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre will host alpine skiing competitions during the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing will host ice hockey matches at the Beijing Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park in northern China's Hebei Province. AP

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  The Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre will host biathlon at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. AP

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  The Big Air Shougang in Beijing will host the big air competition. AP

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  The Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. AP

NTT Corporation, a telecoms company, said more than 450 million cyber crimes were attempted during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to the FBI.

The company said they all failed because security measures had been put in place.

The most popular cyber-attack methods included malware, email spoofing, phishing and the use of fake websites.

Digital wallets or mobile apps that track Covid-19 testing and vaccination could also increase the opportunity for cyber attacks, the FBI said.

Foreign spectators have been barred from attending the Winter Olympics.

In a New Year address, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he would “spare no effort to present a great” Winter Olympics.

Beijing will be the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.

Last month, the White House said it would not send any US diplomats to The Games, citing human rights concerns in China.

About 3,000 athletes from 91 countries are due to compete, including 222 Americans.

The 2022 Beijing Olympics run from February 4 to 20. The Winter Paralympics are set to take place from March 4 to 13.