Team Blitz India
LONDON: China has been accused of launching a series of cyberattacks on certain members of Parliament (MPs) and peers at a time when general elections are due in the United Kingdom. This is being alleged as a bid at undermining democracy.
Supported by allies globally, UK officials have disclosed that Chinese state-affiliated organisations and individuals were responsible for two malicious cyber campaigns targeting democratic institutions and parliamentarians, according to a recent statement.
Partners across the Indo-Pacific and Europe have expressed solidarity with the UK’s efforts to call out malicious cyber activities, said the press release late March from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, National Cyber Security Centre, Cabinet Office, and Home Office.
On March 24, the United States announced a slew of actions against “cyber threat group” APT 31, claiming it a group connected to the government of the People’s Republic of China. The actions included criminal charges against seven hackers from China, imposing sanctions, and a reward of up to $10 million for information on the group.
A statement from the US State Department said that this group had targeted officials, politicians and campaign officials, various economic and defence entities and officials, as well as foreign democracy activists, academics, among others. A day later, the UK Government accused China of being responsible for “malicious” cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral Commission, with two persons and a company sanctioned over the attacks.
“It is completely unacceptable that China state-affiliated organisations and individuals have targeted our democratic institutions and political processes. While these attempts to interfere with UK democracy have not been successful, we will remain vigilant and resilient to the threats we face,” said Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.
