Cyber Warfare Escalates: Taiwanese Group Targets Mainland China

Anonymous 64, a Taiwanese hacking group, has been targeting mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau through cyberattacks, according to China's national security ministry. The group seeks to broadcast content against China's political system. The ministry urges netizens to report 'anti-propaganda sabotage.' Investigations reveal many of Anonymous 64’s claims are disputed.

Anonymous 64, a Taiwanese hacking group, has launched cyberattacks on targets in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, China's national security ministry disclosed on Monday. The ministry urges netizens to report any cases of 'anti-propaganda sabotage.'

Anonymous 64, part of Taiwan's cyber warfare wing according to the ministry, has been disseminating content critical of China's political system and policies since the start of the year. This includes attempts to broadcast anti-China videos on various platforms. China has responded by stepping up its military and political pressure on Taiwan, a region it claims sovereignty over.

The group's X account, established in June 2023, showed screenshots of efforts to broadcast videos equating Chinese President Xi Jinping to an emperor and commemorating significant anti-Beijing events. The account did not clarify any links to the broader Anonymous hacking collective. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has yet to comment on the issue.

Reuters could not confirm the group's exact location or validate the hacking claims against them. China's national security ministry indicated that many of the websites targeted by Anonymous 64 were either fake or low-traffic and accused the group of photoshopping infiltration posts. The ministry also published redacted screenshots from the group's X account and has initiated a case against three members of Taiwan's cyber warfare wing. The ministry advises netizens to avoid spreading rumors and report any cyberattacks promptly to the authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)