China Accuses NSA Agents of Cyberattacks During Asian Winter Games

Chinese authorities have accused three U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) agents of conducting advanced cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in Harbin in February, targeting vital sectors like energy and communications. The agents, identified as Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson, are on a wanted list, with police also implicating the University of California and Virginia Tech in the alleged attacks. The accusations were detailed in a statement from Harbin police, which claimed over 270,000 foreign cyberattacks were recorded, two-thirds of which originated from the U.S. This escalation in allegations reflects the growing cyber tensions amid an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. In response, Chinese officials have vowed to crack down on foreign cyberattacks and offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of the accused. The situation highlights a significant shift in the narrative as both nations increasingly accuse each other of espionage.