US revises Chinese hack claims after China hits back over ‘state-sponsored’ charges

The US Department of Justice issued a revised statement regarding their Chinese hack claims on Friday.

The edited statement clarified that high-profile organizations were targets rather than confirmed victims of a Chinese hacking group.

The US Senate, Federal Reserve, Department of Energy, NASA, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health were identified as targets of a Chinese state-sponsored group named "QTFY."

Previously, the original press release labeled all listed agencies as victims, whereas the supporting affidavit clarified that while all were targeted, only some were actually compromised.

The revision in statement matters as it reduces the scope of confirmed breaches in what the DOJ called as “years-long Chinese cyber-espionage campaign against the US government agencies, defense contractors and other sensitive targets.”

According to the FBI affidavit, since 2018 the cyber-espionage campaign has been active, targeting US federal networks, defense contractors, and sensitive entities.

The changes came after the Chinese Embassy in Washington rejected the allegations, stating that the US uses cybersecurity to smear China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also slammed these allegations stating, “We have noted relevant reports. China firmly opposes and combats hacking activities in accordance with the law. At the same time, China firmly opposes the dissemination of disinformation for political purposes.”

“The so-called US statement lacks factual evidence and turns facts on their head. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the US once again smearing China under the pretext of cybersecurity.”