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In a rather serious allegation, both the US and the UK have accused China-backed hackers of targeting government institutions and political figures. According to a report by CNBC, British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden confirmed the hacking in a speech in the UK parliament. “I can confirm today that Chinese state-affiliated actors were responsible for two malicious cyber campaigns targeting our democratic institutions and parliamentarians,” Dowden said. The US Department of Justice also accused Chinese state-linked hackers of targeting US businesses and government officials.
According to the report, seven Chinese nationals have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer intrusions.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese government to intimidate Americans who serve the public, silence the dissidents who are protected by American laws, or steal from American businesses,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
What does China have to say?
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK has denied the allegations. “The so-called cyber attacks by China against the UK are completely fabricated and malicious slanders. We strongly oppose such accusations. China has always firmly fought all forms of cyber attacks according to law,” the statement reads. Furthermore, the statement also noted that it opposes the politicisation of cyber security issues and the baseless denigration of other countries without factual evidence. “We urge the relevant parties in the UK to stop spreading false information and stop their self-staged, anti-China political farce,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
Dowden said that the hack on the UK Electoral Commission was traced back to a Chinese state affiliated actor. The hacks, as per the report, took place between 2021-22 but was only disclosed last year. As per Dowden, the hackers got hold of names and addresses of all the voters who were registered to vote between 2014 and 2022.
According to the report, seven Chinese nationals have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer intrusions.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese government to intimidate Americans who serve the public, silence the dissidents who are protected by American laws, or steal from American businesses,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
What does China have to say?
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK has denied the allegations. “The so-called cyber attacks by China against the UK are completely fabricated and malicious slanders. We strongly oppose such accusations. China has always firmly fought all forms of cyber attacks according to law,” the statement reads. Furthermore, the statement also noted that it opposes the politicisation of cyber security issues and the baseless denigration of other countries without factual evidence. “We urge the relevant parties in the UK to stop spreading false information and stop their self-staged, anti-China political farce,” the spokesperson said in the statement.
Dowden said that the hack on the UK Electoral Commission was traced back to a Chinese state affiliated actor. The hacks, as per the report, took place between 2021-22 but was only disclosed last year. As per Dowden, the hackers got hold of names and addresses of all the voters who were registered to vote between 2014 and 2022.
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