Taiwanese Hacking Group Anonymous 64 Accused Of Cyberattacks Against China

China's National Security Ministry has accused Anonymous 64, a Taiwanese hacker group, of launching cyberattacks against websites, outdoor screens and network TV stations in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. The ministry believes the group is part of Taiwan's cyber warfare section, engaged in ‘anti-propaganda sabotage,’ and urges netizens to report such activity.

According to a blog post on the ministry's official WeChat account, Anonymous 64 has been active since the beginning of the year and intends to submit content critical of China's political structure and policies. These efforts include videos comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to an emperor, remembering the Tiananmen Square protests, and recognising the anniversary of the anti-COVID protests. Anonymous 64 has utilised its 'X' account to broadcast photographs and screenshots of its operations, including members wearing the iconic Guy Fawkes mask, which is commonly linked with cyber activism.

China's security ministry believes that many of the websites targeted by Anonymous 64 were either bogus or had extremely low traffic, and accuses the group of photoshopping evidence to exaggerate the scope of its activities. Despite these assertions, an investigation is continuing, with charges filed against three members reportedly tied to Taiwan's cyber warfare wing.

Neither Anonymous 64's 'X' account nor the ministry's blog post acknowledged whether the organisation was officially affiliated with the bigger, internationally renowned Anonymous hacking collective. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council has declined to comment on the claims.

China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan, putting additional political and military pressure on the island. Taiwan, in turn, routinely accuses Chinese organisations of disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks aimed at undermining its democracy.