Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing Covid Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant development, the United States Department of Justice has announced that a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, has been arrested in Italy at the request of Washington. Xu is alleged to be part of a hacking group that stole COVID-19 vaccine secrets from the US on behalf of Chinese intelligence at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
The arrest was made last week, and Xu is currently being held in Italy pending extradition to the United States to face charges. According to the US Department of Justice, Xu was working on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) to steal sensitive information related to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The hacking group, known as Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) 41, is believed to have been involved in several high-profile cyber attacks targeting healthcare organizations, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies in the US. The group’s activities were allegedly orchestrated by Xu and other Chinese hackers who were working on behalf of the Chinese government.
The stolen data was then used by Chinese scientists to advance Beijing’s own vaccine development efforts, according to the US Department of Justice. The stolen information included confidential details about COVID-19 vaccine production, distribution, and administration, which were critical to the development of effective vaccines.
The arrest of Xu comes as a significant blow to Chinese efforts to steal sensitive information from the US, and it is seen as a major victory for the US Department of Justice’s efforts to combat cybercrime.
“This arrest demonstrates the commitment of the US Department of Justice to holding accountable those who engage in illegal and harmful activities, including state-sponsored hackers,” said US Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement. “We will continue to work with our international partners to disrupt and dismantle these types of illegal efforts and protect American interests.”
The Chinese government has previously denied any involvement in the hacking group or the theft of COVID-19 data. However, the US Department of Justice has provided evidence that links Xu and the APT 41 hacking group to the Chinese government.
The evidence includes communications intercepted by US intelligence agencies, which show that Xu and other APT 41 hackers were in regular contact with Chinese officials and received instructions and guidance from them. The communications also reveal that Xu and other hackers were paid by the Chinese government for their services.
The arrest of Xu is seen as a significant development in the ongoing battle between the US and China over cyber espionage. The US has long accused China of engaging in widespread cyber espionage, including hacking into government and private sector systems to steal sensitive information.
In recent years, the US has taken several steps to combat Chinese cyber espionage, including imposing sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals accused of engaging in illegal activities. The US has also increased its efforts to work with international partners to disrupt and dismantle Chinese hacking groups.
The arrest of Xu is seen as a major victory for the US in this effort, and it is likely to send a strong message to Chinese hackers and the Chinese government about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities.
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, the theft of COVID-19 data is seen as a serious threat to global health security. The stolen data could be used to develop more effective vaccines and treatments, which could be used to spread misinformation and undermine global efforts to combat the pandemic.
The arrest of Xu and the disruption of the APT 41 hacking group is seen as a significant step towards preventing the misuse of COVID-19 data and protecting global health security.
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