The UK Electoral Commission suffered a breach in which cyber attackers obtained copies of voter registration records for a specific group of people. However, the Electoral Commission says the attack had no impact on elections or the voter registration status of individuals.
A Chinese spokesperson responded sharply to the UK’s allegations: “Stop spreading fake news”
Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is expected to lay the blame squarely on Beijing-backed groups when he addresses Parliament, BBC News reports.
In Downden’s address to parliament, the deputy prime minister is expected to link the attack on the electoral commission to a wider threat by Chinese-backed groups.
Other western countries will also voice their concerns, according to the BBC. German politicians have recently suffered a series of high-profile fraud attacks linked to Russian-backed groups.
In response to allegations of Beijing’s potential involvement, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the government does not tolerate malicious cyber activities, adding: “Stop spreading fake news and adopt a responsible attitude to safeguard peace and security in cyberspace.”
Several lawmakers among the members of the China Alliance have been the target of cyberattacks attributed to China, and it is known as an organization critical of China’s policies and activities.
The UK is expected to hold a general election in the second half of 2024, and there is concern that malicious actors may try to influence or distort the outcome through misinformation campaigns and cyberattacks.
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