US, UK accuse China of cyber attacks on 'democratic institutions'. What we know so far
US imposed sanctions on Zhao, Ni, and the Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Limited (Wuhan XRZ) for their roles in malicious cyber operations that jeopardised national security. These measures, taken under Executive Order 13694, aim to curb the abuse of computer networks by hostile actors. Remarkably, the Department of Justice announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification and location of individuals and entities involved in APT31's illicit activities.
This unprecedented move through the Rewards for Justice programme seeks to disrupt and deter cyber actors violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) while acting on behalf of foreign governments. The actions highlight the United States' firm determination to address ongoing cyber threats from APT31. The group targeted various sectors, including defence, government, businesses, intellectual property, and trade secrets.
It also targeted foreign democracy advocates, academics, and officials, underscoring the breadth of its malicious operations. Echoing similar concerns, the UK on March 26 accused Beijing-backed groups of targeting “democratic institutions and parliamentarians" in two cyber campaigns. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden revealed that a "Chinese state-affiliated entity" likely compromised UK Electoral Commission systems, though election security remained unaffected, according to ANI.
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