EU sanctions Chinese and Iranian firms over cyberattacks

The European Union has imposed sanctions on the Chinese companies Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology, as well as the Iranian company Emennet Pasargad. According to the EU, the entities are suspected of participating in cyber operations targeting European organisations.

The EU said Integrity Technology Group facilitated hacking attacks on more than 65,000 devices in six member states. Anxun Information Technology provided hacking services targeting critical infrastructure.

Two co-founders of Anxun were also added to the EU sanctions list. The EU said they were directly involved in activities related to cyberattacks.

The Iranian company Emennet Pasargad is, according to the EU, responsible for tampering with advertising billboards during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It allegedly used them to spread disinformation.

The sanctions include the freezing of assets of the affected individuals and companies within the EU and a travel ban for those on the sanctions list. Citizens and companies from member states are also prohibited from providing funds to the entities.

(Reuters, Max)