Archive · 19 Dec 2025
UK Foreign Office Hacked by Suspected Chinese Group
The UK Foreign Office had a big problem where some hackers, possibly from China, got into their computer systems.
These hackers, called Storm-1849, took important documents and information about visas.
The UK government found out about this hack a few months ago and quickly fixed the problem.
They say the risk to people is low.
Some people in the UK government blame the current leaders for not protecting the country enough from China.
The hackers are known for targeting people and groups that criticize the Chinese government.
The UK government is still looking into what happened.
UK Foreign Office systems were hacked by a suspected Chinese group called Storm-1849.
The hackers accessed visa details and thousands of confidential documents.
The cyber-attack was discovered in October 2023, and the government quickly addressed the issue.
The UK government states there is a low risk to individuals affected by the hack.
The Opposition Conservative Party accuses the Labour government of failing to protect against Chinese interference.
- Who
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO)
- What
- Cyber-attack by suspected Chinese hacker group Storm-1849
- When
- Discovered in October 2023, reported in December 2023
- Where
- UK Foreign Office systems
- Why
- To access sensitive documents and visa details
- Organization Hacked
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO)
- Suspected Hacker Group
- Storm-1849 (China-linked)
- Data Compromised
- Visa details, thousands of confidential documents
- Time of Discovery
- October 2023
- Government Response
- Investigation ongoing, low risk to individuals
- Opposition's Accusation
- Labour government failing to protect against Chinese interference
- Hacker Group's Targets
- Politicians, parliamentary staff, organizations critical of China
