A group of French parliamentarians recently raised concerns regarding the inadequate response from the government to cyberattacks targeting their computers. They reported receiving virus-infected emails in 2021 from a hacker group known as APT31, which is believed by several countries, including the US and Britain, to be linked to the Chinese government. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the handling of the issue by the French authorities has been called into question.
The targeted parliamentarians, all members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an international non-profit organization focusing on China’s policies, felt the brunt of the cyberattacks. They only discovered the hacks in March of this year following an indictment by the US Justice Department of seven Chinese nationals associated with the Chinese government for sending malicious emails to US and foreign critics of China. The lack of awareness and action by the French authorities has left the parliamentarians feeling vulnerable and exposed to potential threats.
Ex-senator Andre Gattolin, a former co-president of IPAC’s French branch, expressed frustration at the lack of attention given to the cyberattacks. Despite reaching out to France’s National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI) and the anti-espionage agency DGSI, he did not receive any meaningful response. Even after filing a police complaint and seeking assistance from the FBI, Gattolin and his colleagues were left in the dark about the severity of the situation. This lack of investigation and follow-up is concerning, considering the implications of foreign interference in sensitive matters.
In response to the concerns raised by the parliamentarians, government spokeswoman Prisca Thevenot stated that French services are monitoring APT31, including from a legality standpoint. While this acknowledgment is a step in the right direction, it falls short of addressing the gravity of the situation. Olivier Cadic, a centrist member of the French Senate, criticized the government’s response as insufficient, given the blatant cyberattacks by APT31. The lack of urgency and action from the authorities is alarming, especially considering the potential threats posed by such malicious activities.
The parliamentarians emphasized the need for greater awareness and action in response to cyber threats from foreign entities, particularly China. The handling of the case by French authorities was deemed “lightweight” by Anne Genetet, a deputy in the National Assembly, who expressed disbelief at the lack of alertness and preparedness. The failure to address such attacks effectively only serves to embolden cyber perpetrators and puts national security at risk. The parliamentarians urged the authorities to take decisive action in response to the cyberattacks, highlighting the importance of safeguarding critical information and data from malicious actors.
The concerns raised by the French parliamentarians regarding the inadequate response to cyberattacks targeting their computers underscore the growing threat of foreign interference in national affairs. The lack of investigation, awareness, and action by the authorities in addressing such attacks is concerning and requires immediate attention. As cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to national security, it is crucial for governments to prioritize cybersecurity measures and collaborate with international partners to counter such malicious activities effectively.
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