Powerful cyber attack, the US accuses China of hacking the data of hundreds of people
The US and UK have accused China of a cyber conspiracy that has hit many US lawmakers, academics, journalists and many others. The news was announced by the Department of Justice and the FBI. Seven Chinese are accused of orchestrating this widespread campaign of deliberate cyber attacks, according to US and British law enforcement authorities.
The operation allegedly went on for more than a decade. The seven allegedly sent over 10,000 “emails affecting thousands of victims” in what the Justice Department called a “global hacking operation” backed by the Chinese government. “Today’s announcement exposes China’s ongoing efforts to undermine our nation’s cybersecurity. As long as China continues to target the US and our partners, the FBI will continue to send a clear message that cyber espionage will not be tolerated, said Christopher Wray, FBI Director.
The Chinese embassy in London said it “strongly opposes” the allegations, calling them “completely fabricated and malicious defamation”. As for the claims made in the US, the Chinese embassy in Washington DC has yet to respond.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington over issues related to cyber espionage have risen as Western intelligence agencies have increasingly sounded the alarm over suspected Chinese state-backed hacker activity. US companies were hacked by people who allegedly targeted the defense, information technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, trade, finance, consulting, legal and research industries. Targeted companies included defense contractors that provide services to the US military and “a leading provider of 5G network equipment”.
