UK blames China for 'malicious' cyber attacks

London: The UK on Monday accused Beijing linked organisations of orchestrating two malicious cyber campaigns, calling in China s ambassador to prote...

London: The UK on Monday accused Beijing-linked organisations of orchestrating two "malicious" cyber campaigns, calling in China's ambassador to protest and sanctioning those it branded responsible.

The announcement came as the US Department of Justice in Washington said it had charged seven Chinese nationals in connection with a 14-year campaign against critics of Beijing.

In London, deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden told MPs the attacks in 2021 and 2022 compromised the Electoral Commission and UK parliamentary accounts, including those of lawmakers critical of China.

"Chinese state affiliated actors were responsible for two malicious cyber campaigns targeting both our democratic institutions and parliamentarians," he said. The hacks, by what he said were "Chinese state-affiliated actors", were "the latest in a clear pattern of hostile activity originating in China".

But he stressed that both, while a "real and serious threat", were unsuccessful.