Gates Foundation and Wuhan Institute of Virology harassed by conspiracy theorists

The far-right community leaked alleged emails and passwords, and also targeted the WHO, US Center for Disease control and National Institute of Health

The Covid-19 pandemic has gone from inspiring conspiracy theories to inspiring online harassment. The Wuhan Institute of Virology, the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were all included in a leaked database of alleged employee emails and passwords. The US Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health were also among the targets.

The leaked information was distributed on far-right forums and Telegram with the intent to harass, according to the report on the attack from SITE Intelligence Group, a Washington-based organization that monitors extremist groups. But SITE said it couldn't confirm whether the passwords are genuine.

The WHO said it's seen a fivefold increase in cyber attacks directed at its staff, but it added that the leak contains old data that doesn't pose a risk. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told the Washington Post that it didn't record any breaches so far. The Wuhan Institute of Virology didn't respond to a request for comment. But the organization has been the target of conspiracy theorists who claim the new coronavirus came from a lab, a claim dismissed by scientists. Chinese conspiracy theorists and diplomats have made their own claims, saying the virus was brought in by a US athlete or member of the military. The US Department of Defense called the accusation "absurd."

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