Equifax scandal: Chinese officers charged in the United States for data hacking

Text by: RFI Follow

Four members of the Chinese military have been charged in the United States for one of the largest personal data breaches in the history of the country. Information about 145 million Americans has been stolen. The facts date back to 2017.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

This case illustrates " the voracious Chinese appetite for American personal data ," said the justice secretary. William Barr strongly denounced Beijing which he accuses of " deliberate and widespread intrusion into the private information of the American people ".

" 80% of lawsuits launched in recent years for economic espionage involve the Chinese government ," he said. The hacking for which four Chinese officers were charged on Monday affected Equifax, an agency that collects personal data from consumers wishing to take credit.

The names, dates of birth and social security numbers of 145 million people, nearly half the American population, have been stolen.

The case had caused a stir when it was revealed in 2017, but the identity of the pirates had remained mysterious. It was one of the biggest data thefts in history, said the US Minister of Justice.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• United States
• China
• Justice
• Cybercriminality

On the same subject

UK

Equifax scandal: thousands of Britons also affected by piracy

United States

Equifax scandal: “human error” behind massive piracy

Economy

Equifax data protector hacked: 143 million customers affected