"Chinese Government-Linked Hackers Charged with Targeting Critics and U.S. Entities"

Seven Chinese nationals have been charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud for their involvement in a hacking group associated with the Chinese government. The group, known as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31), targeted U.S. and foreign critics, businesses, and political officials for over 14 years, aiming to further the PRC’s economic espionage and foreign intelligence objectives. The defendants conducted global campaigns of computer hacking, targeting political dissidents, government officials, candidates, and campaign personnel in the United States and elsewhere, as well as American companies. The indictment sheds light on the PRC Ministry of State Security’s aggressive cyber espionage and transnational repression activities worldwide, and underscores the need for vigilance against cybersecurity threats and foreign malign influence efforts.