Feds charge Chinese hackers in plot targeting U.S. politicians, national security, journalists

Hackers tied to the Chinese government targeted high-ranking U.S. politicians, businesses and critics in a years-long scheme to attack critical pieces of America's infrastructure, federal prosecutors said Monday in an indictment of seven foreign nationals.

White House officials, U.S. senators, defense contractors, journalists and technology companies were among thousands targeted in the cyber operation, the Justice Department said.

The United Kingdom also announced sanctions on Monday against a state-sponsored company, which it alleged was involved in an attack on parliamentarians’ emails in 2021.

“This case serves as a reminder of the ends to which the Chinese government is willing to go to target and intimidate its critics, including launching malicious cyber operations aimed at threatening the national security of the United States and our allies,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.