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Mike Pompeo said the United States is asking China to stop this malicious activity.
Washington:
United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday accused China of “stealing” intellectual property from the United States and data related to the COVID-19 investigation.
Pompeo’s allegations came a day after the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security claimed that organizations conducting investigations into COVID-19 may be targeted by hackers linked to the Chinese government.
“The United States condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to steal US intellectual property and data related to the COVID-19 investigation,” Pompeo said in a statement.
“The United States calls on China to cease this malicious activity,” Pompeo said, adding that “potential theft” of this information jeopardizes the delivery of safe, effective and efficient treatment options.
On Thursday, China called the US accusation that the Beijing-backed hackers may be trying to steal COVID-19 related research materials and vaccines “defamatory,” and said that “defamation and scapegoating” of others will not do. disappear the deadly virus.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said US officials are blaming Beijing while struggling to manage the coronavirus pandemic in their country.
The United States’ claims have added fuel to tensions between the two nations, which are involved in a war of words over the origin of the coronavirus that has killed more than 300,000 people worldwide. Pompeo alleged that China’s behavior in cyberspace is an extension of its counterproductive actions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pompeo in the heavily worded statement said that while the United States and its allies and partners are coordinating a collective and transparent response to save lives, “China continues to silence scientists, journalists and citizens, and spread disinformation, which has exacerbated the dangers of this health crisis. “
The FBI said it is “investigating the goal and commitment of US organizations conducting COVID-19-related investigations by China-affiliated cyber actors and non-traditional collectors.”
“These actors have been observed attempting to illegally identify and obtain valuable intellectual property (IP) and public health data related to vaccines, treatment and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with COVID-19 related research,” said the FBI.
The possible theft of this information jeopardizes the delivery of safe, effective and efficient treatment options, he said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
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