Politics · India Bureau
US senators urge action against three India-based firms over alleged data theft
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has called on the Trump administration to take enforcement action against three India-based companies accused of conducting systematic hacking operations against American citizens, businesses and law firms. The allegations centre on over 15 years of targeted cyber espionage campaigns.
LSN India ·
Democratic senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, joined by Republican Pat Harrigan, have written to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding action against Sunkissed Organic Pvt Ltd, BellTrox Ltd, and CyberRoot Ltd.
In their letter, the senators alleged that the three companies operated as cyber-mercenary groups conducting prolonged espionage targeting US citizens, businesses and legal representatives. "Several India-based cyber-mercenary groups have spent more than 15 years conducting targeted espionage against US citizens, businesses and the lawyers representing them," the lawmakers wrote.
According to investigations by Reuters and The Citizen Lab, the companies allegedly orchestrated widespread hacking campaigns targeting private equity firms, pharmaceutical companies, and more than 1,000 attorneys working across major US law firms. The senators contended the intrusions were designed to manipulate ongoing litigation and gain competitive advantages for their clients.
The letter signals growing concern among US policymakers about cyber-enabled corporate espionage originating from India, and seeks formal enforcement measures against the named entities. The Commerce Department has not yet issued a public response to the senators' request.