Microsoft ‘hacking’ claims intended for smooth TikTok deal

Microsoft’s warning on hacking from several countries, including China, cannot hold water, and the US firm’s kowtowing to the Trump administration is intended to facilitate its buyout of TikTok, Chinese officials and experts said Friday.

The comments follow a release by Microsoft on Thursday that claimed hackers with so-called “ties” to Russia, China and Iran have been attempting to target people and groups associated with the US 2020 presidential election, including attacking those with links to both the Trump and Biden campaigns.

According to Microsoft, Zirconium, operating from China, has attacked some high-profile individuals with connections to the US election, including those associated with Joe Biden for President campaign as well as other prominent leaders in the international affairs community.

It also mentioned two other “hacking groups” by the names of Strontium, allegedly operating from Russia, and Phosphorus from Iran.

Microsoft should not make things up, and should not use China as a card, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular briefing on Friday.

“We have no interest and intention to interfere in the US presidential election. Many US intelligence officials recently told US media that US intelligence agencies have not seen evidence of China’s interference in the election,” said Zhao.

Shen Yi, a professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University told the Global Times on Friday that Microsoft’s statement intends to show the firm’s loyalty to Trump. It hopes that by creating a “favorable” atmosphere for the upcoming election, its buyout of the Chinese video sharing app TikTok would become smooth under the Trump administration, which has cracked down on the Chinese app citing so-called national security reasons.