China’s national security ministry has accused a Taiwanese hacking group called Anonymous 64 of carrying out cyberattacks targeting mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The ministry claims the group is part of Taiwan’s cyber warfare wing and has been actively working to spread anti-China propaganda since the beginning of the year. According to the ministry, Anonymous 64 has attempted to upload and broadcast content that criticizes the mainland’s political system and major policies on websites, outdoor screens, and network television stations.
The hacking group’s X account boasts of its activities, showcasing screenshots of efforts to broadcast videos comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to an emperor, commemorating the second anniversary of protests against Beijing’s strict COVID curbs, and marking the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations. One video even featured an Anonymous 64 member wearing the iconic Guy Fawkes mask, reminiscent of the graphic novel and film V for Vendetta. However, neither the X site nor the blog post from China’s national security ministry clarifies whether Anonymous 64 has any affiliation with the international hacking group of the same name.
Taiwan has frequently accused Chinese groups of engaging in online disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks against the island. China, on the other hand, claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has intensified military and political pressure in recent years to assert its claim. The latest accusations further escalate the tensions between the two sides.
While the hacking group claims success, China’s national security ministry casts doubt on their claims. The ministry states that many of the websites Anonymous 64 claimed to have accessed were fake or inactive, and that images showing them infiltrating university and media websites were photoshopped. The ministry even published screenshots of the group’s X account with heavily redacted text as evidence. Additionally, the ministry has opened a case against three members of Taiwan’s cyber warfare wing, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
In response to the alleged attacks, China’s national security ministry urges netizens to be cautious and avoid spreading rumors. The ministry calls for prompt reporting of any cyberattacks or anti-propaganda activities to the national security authorities. However, the ministry’s claims remain unverified, and Reuters has been unable to independently confirm the group’s location or their actual involvement in the alleged hacking attacks.
