Vocal Taiwan Supporter Rep. Don Bacon Says Emails Compromised in Suspected Chinese Hack: Report

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska recently revealed that his personal and campaign email accounts were compromised by suspected Chinese hackers. This breach is particularly significant given Bacon’s critical stance on the Chinese government. The cyberattack, which began in May, also targeted senior officials from the State Department and Commerce Department, including the US ambassador to China and the Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, reported CNN.

Extent of the Breach

The hackers had access to Bacon’s emails for about a month. "The only thing that they may have obtained is political strategy or information like fundraising calls … [and] possibly some personal banking information," said Danielle Jensen, a spokesperson for Bacon. The FBI informed Bacon of the breach, indicating an ongoing investigation.

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Motivation Behind the Attack?

Bacon’s support for Taiwan and his criticism of China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority might have made him an attractive target for the hackers. Jensen mentioned that Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, always assumes his emails are under surveillance.

China’s Response

When approached for a comment, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, accused the US of initiating cyberattacks in China. This hacking campaign, which coincided with Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, has heightened tensions between the two nations.

Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com

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