The US and UK Accuse China of Spying on Millions of Citizens

Officials from the US and UK accused the Chinese government of an extensive cyberespionage scheme that targeted millions of people, ranging from lawmakers, academic, journalists, and companies. Both countries filed charged and imposed sanctions on Beijing in retaliation.

The list of those affected involves high-ranking officials, including White House staffers, US senators, British parliamentarians, and government officials, particularly those who spoke out against the Chinese government. They’re calling this hacking group in particular Advanced Persistent Threat 31, or “APT31.”

Officials say this campaign ran over a decade, and targeted defense contractors, providers of 5G technology, steel companies, energy companies, and apparel firms. The goal is clear:  “repress critics of the Chinese regime, compromise government institutions, and steal trade secrets,” according to Deputy US Attorney General Lisa Monaco.

Millions of Americans had their data compromised in this scheme, including work accounts, emails (personal), online storage, and phone call records. Millions of British citizens were compromised as well, including those stemming from an infamous hack of a UK electoral watchdog.

The Chinese government denies the accusations. For their part, Beijing has claimed the West has hacked their networks as well, including a claim that the US hacked Huawei Technologies. The news come amid rising tensions between these countries.