Iranian Hackers Targeted Activists and Journalists, Groups Say

Iranian government-backed hackers targeted nearly two dozen high-profile activists, journalists, diplomats and others in recent months as part of an ongoing espionage effort, two human-rights groups said Monday.

In three cases, hackers gained access to the victims’ emails, contacts and other data, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which published the analysis. The hackers also attempted a Google Takeout, which allows users to download their complete Google account including messages, cloud storage and other sensitive information.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs didn’t respond to calls asking for comment during the late evening Monday in Tehran.

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