New Zealand said Tuesday a Chinese state-sponsored hacking operation targeted New Zealand’s parliament in 2021, an allegation that came a day after the United States and Britain took action in response to their attacks by China-backed hacking groups.
New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) said it linked malicious cyber activity against the country’s parliament to the group Advanced Persistent Threat 40, which the GCSB said is linked to China’s Ministry of State Security.
“The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for the GCSB Judith Collins said in a statement.
China’s Embassy in Wellington rejected New Zealand’s accusations, calling them “groundless and irresponsible.”
“We have never, nor will we in the future, interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including New Zealand,” the embassy said in a statement.
American and British authorities announced criminal charges and sanctions on Monday against seven hackers believed to be living in China and linked to the Chinese government.
