China arrests hackers following request from U.S. - report

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/12/china-arrests-hackers-following-request-from-us-re/

By Andrew Blake
The Washington Times
October 12, 2015

China reportedly arrested several computer hackers at the behest of the 
United States government weeks ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to 
the White House last month as the U.S. continues to weigh imposing 
sanctions as a result of cyberattacks blamed on Beijing.

Officials within the Obama administration confirmed the arrests to the 
Washington Post on Friday and said the individuals apprehended are accused 
of participating in espionage campaigns in which secrets were stolen from 
U.S. companies to be handed off to competitors in China.

But with the arrests having occurred amid ongoing talks concerning the 
possible imposition of sanctions against China as a result of wave of 
cyberattacks, the White House is now waiting to see if authorities will 
move forward with prosecuting the supposed criminals or let their actions 
slide.

“We need to know that you’re serious,” an individual who spoke with the 
Post on condition of anonymity said in explaining the reasoning for 
requesting the arrests. “So we gave them a list, and we said, ‘Look, 
here’s these guys. Round them up.’”

[...]

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