US Lawmakers Seek Sanctions on 3 India-Based Firms
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has urged the Trump administration to impose restrictions on three India-based companies accused of involvement in hacking campaigns targeting thousands of Americans, businesses and legal professionals.
US Lawmakers Target Three India-Based Cyber Firms
Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Representative Pat Harrigan have asked US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to act against Sunkissed Organic Farms Pvt Ltd, BellTroX Pvt Ltd and CyberRoot Pvt Ltd.
The lawmakers allege that the companies were involved in cyber-espionage operations targeting US citizens, businesses and lawyers over several years.
The allegations against the companies have not been established through the lawmakers’ letter itself and should be treated as claims pending any formal government action or legal findings.
Hacking Campaigns Allegedly Targeted US Law Firms
The lawmakers cited previous investigations alleging that hacking operations targeted private equity firms, pharmaceutical companies and more than 1,000 attorneys working at major American law firms.
They also alleged that some operations were conducted on behalf of clients seeking information connected to commercial disputes and litigation.
The lawmakers further claimed that the groups attempted to suppress reporting about their alleged activities through legal action in overseas courts.
US Commerce Department Urged to Impose Entity List Curbs
Wyden, Whitehouse and Harrigan have asked the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security to place the three companies on the US Entity List.
Such a designation would significantly restrict their access to American-origin software, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity tools and other controlled technologies.
No such sanctions had been announced at the time of the lawmakers’ request.
The appeal adds another dimension to growing US concerns over commercial hacking groups offering sophisticated cyber-surveillance and intelligence services across international borders.
