Facebook has blocked a group of Chinese hackers who used the social media platform to attack Uyghurs abroad. According to Facebook hackers sent malicious links to spy on members of the Uyghur Muslim minority.
The Uyghurs are a Turkish-speaking ethnic minority and mainly live in northwestern China. The Islamic group is put under pressure by China, including by placing them in so-called re-education camps.
Facebook says Chinese hackers attacked hundreds of Uyghur activists, journalists and dissidents abroad. The hackers used fake profiles to gain the trust of the Uyghurs. They then sent links that installed malicious software after opening, which could be used to spy on victims. The affected Uyghurs come from China’s Xinjiang region but now live in Turkey, Kazakhstan, the US, Syria, Australia and Canada.
According to Facebook, it is not certain whether the Beijing government is behind the attacks. Until now, the government has consistently denied its involvement in cyber attacks and espionage.
– .
