The British government accuses a Chinese group with ties to the state apparatus of cyber attacks on MPs critical of China and a database containing information on voters. In response, the United Kingdom has now imposed sanctions on a company from the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan and two people who work for the group known in the West as APT31. The ambassador was also summoned. The USA has joined the move and published indictments against seven people who are accused of malicious cyber attacks. New Zealand also has similar criticism. China has already firmly rejected this.
Advertisement
Sharp objection from Beijing
As the British cybersecurity agency NCSC summarizes, the group is accused of two specific attacks. It is very likely that the actors compromised electoral commission systems between 2021 and 2022. Personal data on more than 40 million people who registered to vote in UK elections at home and overseas between 2014 and 2022 was accessed. They would most likely be used for espionage and to suppress criticism of China. In addition, APT31 is “almost certainly” behind attempts to spy on the email accounts of British MPs. They primarily targeted those who criticized China.
China's attacks on democratic institutions and political processes in Great Britain are “completely unacceptable,” says British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Even if the attacks were unsuccessful, people will remain vigilant and always defend themselves. The US government has now offered a $10 million reward for information about the group. Meanwhile, the indictment against seven hackers from APT31 is intended to be brought into the public eye. Their attacks are said to have been going on for 14 years. Several Chinese embassies have rejected the allegations and call them malicious slander. The claims had no basis whatsoever.
(my)