Tech giant Microsoft on Thursday stated that it had thwarted cyber attacks from China, Iran and Russia targeting both Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns ahead of the presidential election in November. 

Beijing, however, responded to Microsoft’s announcement calling it fabricated. Beijing accused Microsoft of concocting links between China and attempted cyberattacks on US Presidential elections.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian issued a statement saying “We have no interest to interfere in it, and we never interfered in it.”

He added, “Microsoft shouldn’t fabricate something out of nothing and create trouble by speaking about China.”

The announcement by Microsoft came on Thursday amid Twitter’s decision to implement policies removing ‘false or misleading information intended to undermine public confidence in an election.’

Microsoft said that the attacks targeted staff from the campaigns of President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden. Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President Tom Burt said: “In recent weeks, Microsoft has detected cyberattacks targeting people and organizations involved in the upcoming presidential election.”

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According to Burt, “foreign activity groups have stepped up their efforts targeting the 2020 election as had been anticipated.”

Microsoft also stated that the attackers have targeted political operatives, think tanks, consultants and political parties in Europe as well.

Microsoft added that it had identified a Russian-based group called Strontium and another China-based group Zirconium that were carrying out the cyberattacks. Another Iran based group Phosphorus was also identified by Microsoft.