The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged several Chinese hackers in connection with a state-sponsored cyber operation that targeted American government agencies, dissidents, and international organizations. Among the agencies affected was the U.S. Treasury, marking another significant escalation in cyber tensions between the U.S. and China.
According to the DOJ, the hackers operated under the directive of China’s Ministry of Public Security, as well as through a private company, i-Soon. The company allegedly charged Chinese government agencies between $10,000 and $75,000 per compromised email inbox. The DOJ noted that the hackers were well-compensated for the stolen data, reinforcing concerns over a growing ecosystem of cyber mercenaries backed by the Chinese government.
“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 leads the DOJ’s National Security Division. “We will continue to fight to dismantle this ecosystem of cyber mercenaries and protect our national security.”
The hackers allegedly targeted various entities, including U.S.-based dissidents, a religious organization critical of China’s policies, and a Hong Kong newspaper known for its opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. While specific names were not disclosed, the DOJ highlighted the political motivations behind these attacks.
In addition to U.S. government agencies, the operation also extended to foreign ministries in Taiwan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia. The DOJ’s findings align with previous warnings from Western intelligence agencies about China’s increasing cyber espionage activities against both governmental and private organizations worldwide.
China has not directly responded to these latest charges but has previously denied involvement in similar cyber operations. The Chinese government has consistently dismissed such allegations as “baseless” and reiterated its opposition to hacking activities. However, Western cybersecurity agencies have linked multiple cyber breaches to Chinese state-sponsored actors, including attacks on the UK’s Electoral Commission and the parliaments of the UK and New Zealand.
With rising global cybersecurity threats, the latest charges underscore the urgent need for enhanced cyber defense strategies to safeguard national security and prevent future cyber intrusions.
