Where Is The Proof Of Google’s Chinese Cyberattack?

The Chinese government has attacked Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) over its allegations that hackers within the People’s Republic recently compromised Gmail accounts. China’s People’s Daily reported that Google’s comments have “become obstacles for enhancing global trust between stakeholders in cyberspace.” And, it added the big search company had “provided no solid proof” of its allegations. 

The Chinese have a valid argument. So far, Google’s only official explanation of the trouble is in a blog on the company’s website. “This campaign, which appears to originate from Jinan, China, affected what seem to be the personal Gmail accounts of hundreds of users including, among others, senior U.S. government officials, Chinese political activists, officials in several Asian countries (predominantly South Korea), military personnel and journalists,” Eric Grosse, Engineering Director, Google Security Team wrote.

Google can easily refute  China’s claims. It only has to produce the detailed evidence of the attacks. The information may be too complex for the general public to understand, but sophisticated experts about e-mail systems and security could use the data to protect their systems from attacks.

Claims by America companies that their systems have been compromised by expert hackers based in China, which recently include Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), are almost certainly believed my most US citizens. They probably should. The federal government has repeatedly made allegations of China-based hacking and the State Department has sharply criticized the People’s Republic for ignoring these complaints.

The lack of belief about the evidence of Google’s accusations is more likely to be in countries outside the US. Many people believe the U.S. government lies.  Some concrete evidence of the “hacks” would help offset China’s allegation that America’s charges are simply a way to embarrass its government and spread claims that the communist central authorities cannot be trusted to honor the cyber-security of systems which contain confidential information.

Google and Lockheed Martin may say that if they reveal details about how people within China compromised their systems that they will have to give away details of how those systems work. Whether that is true or not, US companies and the government have to support their accusations with something beyond statements that are nothing more than allegations without details. Otherwise they are fairly questioned by skeptics.

Douglas A. McIntyre