FBI reports that China hacked email of US Congressman
Republican US Representative Don Bacon was told by the FBI that his emails have been hacked by Chinese spies
Chinese intelligence services had access to Bacon's accounts for about one month ending on 16th June, officials said
The hacking was the result of a "vulnerability in Microsoft software
WASHINGTON D.C.: Republican US Representative Don Bacon was told by the FBI that his emails have been hacked by Chinese spies, according to the Washington Post.
Chinese intelligence services had access to Bacon's accounts for about one month ending on 16th June, officials said.
The hacking was the result of a "vulnerability in Microsoft software," Bacon, who represents Nebraska's Second Congressional District in the House of Representatives, said.
In July, Microsoft disclosed a hacking campaign that reportedly resulted in the theft of hundreds of thousands of emails from senior US officials, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.
US House of Representatives email accounts were targeted as part of the same campaign, CNN reported.
"There were other victims in this cyber operation. The Communist government in China is not our friends and are very active in conducting cyber espionage," Bacon said, as reported by Reuters.
According to a Chinese Embassy spokesperson, the claims of hacking were a "smear" and part of a "groundless narrative," adding that the US government had undercut China's sovereignty with recent arms sales to Taiwan.
Elected to Congress in 2016 and a former Air Force brigadier general who currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Bacon is part of the group whose members propose the US military's annual budget and spending plans.
Bacon's spokesperson said that he was targeted because of his public support for Taiwan and critical commentary about China's treatment of the Uyghur community.
