China accused by US of hacking Covid-19 research data

The United States has accused China-linked hackers of targeting organisations that are researching the Covid-19 pandemic.

BBC reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it had seen hacking attempts on US groups researching vaccines, treatments and testing which are traced to China.

The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a joint warning on Wednesday, May 13, over the development.

The government departments warned that “healthcare, pharmaceutical and research sectors working on Covid-19 response should all be aware they are prime targets” of hackers.

The cyber-thieves had “been observed attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data” on treating the coronavirus, the statement added.

President Donald Trump had on Monday, May 11, referred to China’s alleged cyber-activities. “What else is new with China? I’m not happy with China, could have stopped it at the source, should have,” he said. “Now you’re telling me they’re hacking. What else is new? We’re watching very closely.”