US lawmakers are urging the US government to blacklist three India-based technology-related firms, alleging they are involved in hack-for-hire operations and a long-running espionage campaign targeting Americans, US businesses, and legal professionals. The request asks the Commerce Department to add the companies to the Entity List, a tool used to restrict trade and dealings with entities deemed to pose national security or foreign policy concerns.
According to the reporting, the lawmakers—Democratic senators Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Republican Representative Pat Harrigan—submit the request in a letter that is described as bipartisan. The firms named are BellTroX, CyberRoot, and Sunkissed Organic Farms Pvt Ltd, formerly known as Appin Technology Pvt Ltd, along with subsidiaries. Some outlets note the allegations have been raised in earlier media investigations and technology-industry reporting, including claims that the companies were used during legal or commercial disputes. Executives for the firms deny wrongdoing, and other outlets also report skepticism or rebuttals to the allegations.
If approved, the move would likely restrict the companies’ access to US-origin software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity tools. While the outlets agree on the core request and the alleged behavior, they vary in emphasis on the companies’ prior identification by investigators and on the potential impact of Entity List restrictions.
