Undated: US authorities are investigating allegations that an Indian government spy unit hacked into emails of an official US commission that monitors economic and security relations between the United States and China, including cyber-security issues.
The request for an investigation came after hackers posted on the Internet what purports to be an Indian military intelligence document on cyber-spying, which discusses plans to target the commission — apparently using technical know-how provided by Western mobile phone manufacturers.
Appended to the document are transcripts of what are said to be email exchanges among commission members.
“We are aware of these reports and have contacted relevant authorities to investigate the matter. We are unable to make further comments at this time,” said Jonathan Weston, a spokesman for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
The document’s authenticity could not be independently verified. But the US-China commission is not denying the authenticity of the emails.
Officials in India declined to comment on the document’s content or authenticity. One India-based website quoted an unnamed army representative as denying India used mobile firms to spy on the commission and calling the documents forged.
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said her company had not provided the Indian government with backdoor access to its products.
A spokesman for RIM in India said the company does not typically comment on rumour or speculation. A spokesman for Nokia declined comment. (Agencies)