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Daily Tribune
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
US Charges Chinese Hackers Who Targeted Dissidents
Twelve Chinese nationals have been charged by US prosecutors in connection with a hacking operation that allegedly targeted dissidents and sold sensitive data to Chinese government agencies. The Justice Department (DOJ) claims that the hacking group, described as 'state-sponsored,' also infiltrated US government systems, including the Treasury Department, and attacked religious organizations and media outlets. The DOJ alleges that the hackers, acting either on behalf of the Chinese government or independently, gained access to a variety of sensitive information. The hacking operation reportedly targeted a religious organization critical of China, as well as a Hong Kong-based newspaper that has opposed the Chinese government. While China has not directly responded to these specific charges, the country has consistently denied involvement in past cyberattacks. In the past, China has called similar allegations 'baseless,' asserting that it opposes all forms of cyberattacks. This new series of charges comes on the heels of a December breach reported by the Treasury Department, which revealed that hackers linked to China had accessed unclassified documents and employee workstations. At the time, Chinese authorities denied involvement, reaffirming their position against cyber intrusions. The DOJ's latest charges, which were unsealed on Wednesday in a federal court in Manhattan, include two individuals reportedly affiliated with China's Ministry of Public Security. The hackers, according to the DOJ, were allegedly connected to a private company called i-Soon, which received payments ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 per compromised email account. The DOJ claims these hackers carried out their intrusions both under the direction of Chinese authorities and independently, profiting from stolen data. 'Today, we are exposing individuals who have facilitated widespread and reckless cyberattacks against governments, organizations, and individuals globally,' said Sue J Bai, head of the DOJ's National Security Division. 'We remain committed to dismantling these cyber operations to safeguard our national security.' Details regarding the specific US-based dissidents targeted by the alleged hackers have not been disclosed. However, the DOJ did note that the religious organization involved had a history of criticizing the Chinese government. The Hong Kong newspaper, while not named, was similarly described as critical of China. In addition to US government targets, the alleged hackers are said to have targeted foreign ministries in Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia, indicating the global reach of their operations. This latest case is part of a broader trend of cyber espionage linked to China. Previous operations attributed to Chinese state-backed hackers have included attacks on US presidential campaigns, the UK's Electoral Commission, and the parliaments of the UK and New Zealand. Last year, seven Chinese nationals were charged for running a hacking operation that lasted over 14 years, targeting foreign critics of China. The growing focus on cyber operations underscores the increasing international concerns over cyber threats and their potential to disrupt national security and digital infrastructure across the globe.
Saudi Gazette
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
US charges Chinese hackers who targeted dissidents
WASHINGTON — US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals for being part of an alleged hacking scheme, which sold data of US-based dissidents to the Chinese government. The "state-sponsored" operation also targeted government agencies including the Treasury, according to the Justice Department (DOJ). Hackers also allegedly targeted an American religious organization, and a newspaper in Hong Kong, the statement added. China has not responded to these specific allegations, but has strongly denied other accusations in the past. In December, the Treasury Department reported a "major" breach by Chinese-sponsored hackers, saying they were able to access employee workstations and some unclassified documents. At that time, China denied any involvement, calling the accusation "baseless" and saying it "consistently opposes all forms of hacking".It is unclear when the latest DOJ charges were issued — but they were unsealed in a federal court in Manhattan on the individuals charged were two officers of China's Ministry of Public DOJ said that hackers, which appeared to represent a private company, i-Soon, charged Chinese agencies between $10,000 and $75,000 for each "exploited" email allegedly "conducted computer intrusions" under the direction of Chinese ministries and on their own initiative, and were "paid handsomely for stolen data"."Today, we are exposing the Chinese government agents directing and fostering indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks worldwide," said Sue J Bai, who heads the DOJ's National Security Division."We will continue to fight to dismantle this ecosystem of cyber mercenaries and protect our national security," she further details on the targeted US-based dissidents were religious organization hit by hackers was described as one which "previously sent missionaries to China and was openly critical of the PRC government". PRC is short for the People's Republic of China.A Hong Kong newspaper was also on the list. While it was not named, the statement said that it was "considered as being opposed to the PRC government".Besides US agencies, hackers were said to have targeted the foreign ministries of Taiwan, India, South Korea and October, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said hacks targeting two major US presidential campaigns were carried out by "actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China".Earlier last year, seven Chinese nationals were charged with running a hacking operation that lasted at least 14 years and targeted foreign critics of linked by Western governments to China have also targeted the UK's Electoral Commission, and the UK and New Zealand parliaments. — BBC
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
US charges Chinese hackers who targeted government dissidents
US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals for being part of an alleged hacking scheme, which sold data of US-based dissidents to the Chinese "state-sponsored" operation also targeted government agencies including the Treasury, according to the Justice Department (DOJ).Hackers also allegedly targeted an American religious organisation, and a newspaper in Hong Kong, the statement has not responded to these specific allegations, but have strongly denied other accusations in the past. In December, the Treasury Department reported a "major" breach by Chinese -sponsored hackers, saying they were able to access employee workstations and some unclassified documents. At that time, China denied any involvement, calling the accusation "baseless" and saying it "consistently opposes all forms of hacking". It is unclear when the latest DOJ charges were issued - but they were unsealed in a federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. Who is being charged? Among the individuals charged were two officers of China's Ministry of Public DOJ said that hackers, which appeared to represent a private company, i-Soon, charged Chinese agencies between $10,000 and $75,000 for each "exploited" email inbox. They allegedly "conducted computer intrusions" under the direction of Chinese ministries and on their own initiative, and were "paid handsomely for stolen data"."Today, we are exposing the Chinese government agents directing and fostering indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks worldwide," said Sue J Bai, who heads the DOJ's National Security Division."We will continue to fight to dismantle this ecosystem of cyber mercenaries and protect our national security," she added. Who was targeted? No further details on the targeted US-based dissidents were religious organisation hit by hackers was described as one which "previously sent missionaries to China and was openly critical of the PRC government". PRC is short for the People's Republic of China.A Hong Kong newspaper was also on the list. While it was not named, the statement said that it was "considered as being opposed to the PRC government". Besides US agencies, hackers were said to have targeted the foreign ministries of Taiwan, India, South Korea and October, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said hacks targeting two major US presidential campaigns were carried out by "actors affiliated with the People's Republic of China".Earlier last year, seven Chinese nationals were charged with running a hacking operation that lasted at least 14 years and targeted foreign critics of linked by Western governments to China have also targeted the UK's Electoral Commission, and the UK and New Zealand parliaments.
