Chinese and Iranian hackers targeted Biden and Trump campaigns, Google says

Moscow has denied any meddling.

Attempts by foreign adversaries to break into presidential campaigns are commonplace but the unusually public attribution offered by Google is a sign of how sensitive Americans have become to digital espionage efforts aimed at candidates.

“We are aware of reports from Google that a foreign actor has made unsuccessful attempts to access the personal email accounts of campaign staff,” a Biden campaign spokesman said. “We have known from the beginning of our campaign that we would be subject to such attacks and we are prepared for them.”

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The Trump campaign, the Chinese Embassy in Washington and the Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Charming Kitten, the group identified by Google as being responsible for the targeting of the Trump campaign, has also recently hit the headlines over other exploits, including the targeting of the pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences Inc (GILD.O).

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Earlier this year, Reuters tied the group to attempts to impersonate high-profile media figures and journalists.

John Hultquist, senior director of intelligence analysis with U.S. cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc (FEYE.O), described the two hacking groups as “espionage actors” and said they were likely attempting to collect intelligence rather than steal material to leak online.

The FBI and Office of the Director of National Intelligence both declined to comment.