EU sanctions Chinese and Iranian companies over alleged cyber operations

Excerpt: The European Union has imposed sanctions on three companies based in China and Iran accused of carrying out cyber activities targeting EU member states.

The European Union has adopted cyber-related sanctions against three companies based in China and Iran, accusing them of involvement in cyber operations affecting EU member states. The measures were approved by the Council of the European Union as part of the bloc’s framework for responding to malicious cyber activities.

The entities designated under the sanctions are Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology, both based in China, and Emennet Pasargad, based in Iran.

According to the EU, Integrity Technology Group is believed to have facilitated cyber intrusions affecting more than 65,000 devices across six EU member states. Anxun Information Technology is assessed to have provided offensive cyber capabilities targeting critical infrastructure, and two of the company’s co-founders have also been individually sanctioned for their alleged roles.

The Iranian company Emennet Pasargad is accused of exploiting digital advertising infrastructure to spread disinformation during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Under the sanctions, assets belonging to the listed entities and individuals within the EU will be frozen, and the individuals concerned will be subject to travel bans. EU citizens and companies are also prohibited from providing funds or economic resources to the sanctioned entities.

The measures reflect growing concern within the EU about foreign cyber operations targeting infrastructure, information systems, and public discourse, and form part of broader efforts to strengthen the bloc’s cybersecurity and resilience against digital threats.