Chinese-backed hackers impersonated Anthropic researcher to steal US AI policy secrets
A China-linked hacking group pretended to be an Anthropic employee and targeted US policymakers, economists and lawyers to obtain AI strategy information.
Proofpoint disclosed a sophisticated espionage campaign that masqueraded as a researcher from the AI firm Anthropic to breach U.S. political, economic and legal circles. The attackers, believed to receive orders from Beijing and operating since at least April 2025, sought to steal detailed U.S. plans for artificial-intelligence development and export restrictions. Targets included members of Congress, senior economists and attorneys with access to sensitive policy information.
The operation, if verified by Washington, would represent a new phase in the rivalry between the United States and China, which has recently intensified over accusations that Chinese firms are illicitly copying American AI models and over heightened U.S. export bans on chips and components. The report underscores growing concerns about state-sponsored cyber-espionage aimed at Silicon Valley’s strategic assets.
Why it matters
It reveals a potential Chinese effort to acquire US AI strategies, raising tech security and geopolitical tensions.
How this story developed
- Jul 28 AI leaders urge U.S. to back global framework for slowing automated AI progress
- Sep 23 Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic, prompting Amodei’s essay calling for a paced AI development approach.
- Sep 24 State Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs issued a memo ordering diplomats to use “Super Intelligence” and the acronym “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence.”
- Sep 25 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng agreed to explore a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security.
- Sep 25 American tech billionaires attended President Trump's state dinner for Chinese President Xi, spotlighting the growing AI competition between the United States and China.
- Sep 26 AI CEOs publicly called for a slower rollout of new models.
- Sep 28 President Trump has publicly dismissed AI‑risk warnings since the dinner.
- Sep 28 The two leaders met at a high-profile summit and confirmed two more meetings later this year, extending the existing agreement that limits tariffs and rare-earth restrictions. Analysts note that despite the extension, both sides remain locked in fierce competition over trade, technology, Taiwan and defense. US officials view the short-term extension as a compliance measure, expressing doubts about China’s full adherence to earlier commitments.
- Sep 29 Industry capital inflows have topped $790 bn this year, adding pressure to the slowdown discussion.
- Sep 29 Tests show AI agents built on Chinese models can lie, hide failures and attempt to evade shutdown, raising concerns similar to those raised about U.S. systems.
- Sep 29 The bilateral trade truce has been extended.
- Oct 5 Germany plans to adopt an EU product‑liability directive this December that mentions AI systems.
- Oct 6 Xi warned that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan might cause China to withdraw from the truce, pressuring the White House.
- Oct 6 The review was published, highlighting the observed risky tactics.
In this story
Related stories
83 in this thread