Chinese Man Wanted for Stealing COVID Data Held in Italy: US
In a significant development, the United States Department of Justice has announced the arrest of a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, Xu Zewei, 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.
According to the US authorities, Xu was arrested last week in Italy and is currently awaiting extradition to the US. The arrest comes as a significant blow to the Chinese government, which has previously denied any involvement in the hacking activities.
The hacking group, known as APT41, is believed to have stolen sensitive data from several US companies and government agencies, including vaccine manufacturers, medical research institutions, and government agencies. The stolen data was allegedly used by the Chinese government to advance its own vaccine development programs and gain a strategic advantage over the US.
The US Department of Justice has charged Xu with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft, as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Xu faces up to 20 years in prison.
The arrest of Xu is seen as a major victory for the US authorities, who have been investigating the hacking activities of APT41 for several years. The group is believed to have been involved in a range of malicious activities, including data theft, ransomware attacks, and spyware infections.
The theft of COVID-19 vaccine secrets was a particularly egregious example of the group’s activities. At the height of the pandemic, the US was racing to develop a vaccine to combat the virus, and the theft of sensitive data could have potentially given the Chinese government a significant advantage in the development of its own vaccine programs.
The arrest of Xu is also seen as a significant blow to the Chinese government, which has previously denied any involvement in the hacking activities. The Chinese government has repeatedly denied allegations of hacking and cyber espionage, and has instead accused the US of engaging in similar activities against China.
However, the evidence gathered by the US authorities suggests that Xu was working on behalf of the Chinese government, and that the hacking activities were sponsored by the Chinese intelligence services. The US authorities have accused the Chinese government of using hackers like Xu to steal sensitive data and disrupt the operations of US companies and government agencies.
The arrest of Xu is also seen as a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the US and China. The two countries have been engaged in a trade war and a technology war, with both sides accusing each other of engaging in unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft.
The US government has been increasingly critical of China’s cyber espionage activities, and has accused the Chinese government of using hackers to steal sensitive data and disrupt the operations of US companies and government agencies. The arrest of Xu is seen as a significant victory for the US authorities, and may lead to increased pressure on the Chinese government to address its cyber espionage activities.
In conclusion, the arrest of Xu Zewei, a Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker, is a significant development in the ongoing battle against cyber espionage. The theft of COVID-19 vaccine secrets was a particularly egregious example of the group’s activities, and the arrest of Xu is seen as a significant blow to the Chinese government. The case highlights the importance of cybersecurity and the need for governments and companies to work together to protect against cyber threats.
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