By Jason Devaney From Newsmax

The investigation into the hack of the Marriott hotel chain points to an organized effort by the Chinese government to steal the information of millions of Americans, according to The New York Times. 

Federal investigators believe the hack, which began in 2014, was conducted by people working for China’s Ministry of State Security.

The personal data, including passport information, of about 500 million Marriott guests was stolen. Other hotels and health insurance companies were also targeted.

According to the Times, the Department of Justice will soon announce indictments against Chinese hackers. The Trump administration is also planning to declassify intelligence that shows some of China’s illicit cyber activities and considering issuing an executive order that targets Chinese companies trying to get their hands on certain pieces of telecommunications equipment.

Reuters reported last week that whoever hacked Marriott left behind clues that pointed to China being the culprit. Private investigators looking into the breach have found hacking tools, techniques, and procedures previously used in attacks attributed to Chinese hackers, said three sources who were not authorized to discuss the company’s probe.

“China firmly opposes all forms of cyber attacks and cracks down on them in accordance with law,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang told Reuters. “If offered evidence, the relevant Chinese departments will carry out investigations according to law.”

The report comes as the U.S. and China are waging a mild trade war, part of President Donald Trump’s plan to make trade fair.

Material from Reuters was used in this report.

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