EU Sanctions Chinese and Iranian Individuals and Entities, Suspected of Launching Cyberattacks

The EU Council announced on Monday the imposition of sanctions on two Chinese companies and one Iranian company, citing their involvement in cyberattacks against EU member states.

The European Commission has added two Chinese companies, namely Xin Cheng Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology Co., Ltd., as well as an Iranian company, Emnate Pasargad Company, to the latest sanctions list.

Xin Cheng Technology Group has long provided various products for application equipment to EU member states, Europe, and around the world. Between 2022 and 2023, the company, by providing technical and material support, caused more than 65,000 devices in six EU member states to be hacked.

Similarly, Anxun Information Technology Co., Ltd., based in China, also carried out cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure of EU member states. The two Chinese individuals listed on the EU Council's sanctions list today are co-founders of the company and are responsible for the cyberattacks affecting EU member states.

Finally, the Iranian Emnate Pasargad Company was accused of illegally obtaining a database of French users and selling this information on the dark web. They are also suspected of hacking billboards and spreading false information during the 2024 Paris Olympics. In addition, the company also hacked a Swedish SMS service.

Individuals listed on the European sanctions list will face asset freezes, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds, financial assets, or economic resources. Sanctioned individuals also face bans on entering or transiting through EU territory.

Currently, the EU has sanctioned 19 individuals and 7 entities due to cyberattacks.

This decision by the EU demonstrates the determination of member states to respond to ongoing malicious cyber activities. The EU and its member states will continue to defend an open, free, stable, and secure cyberspace.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859844083047436/

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