Washington: The U.S. Department of War and French law enforcement agencies are investigating suspected cyberattacks targeting freezer systems at military commissaries in the United States and supermarkets in France, Reuters reported, citing four officials familiar with the matter.
According to the officials, freezer malfunctions affected at least six U.S. military commissaries in August and more than 350 French supermarkets earlier in October.
In both incidents, freezer temperatures were reportedly raised sharply, causing food stored inside to spoil. Some freezers at French supermarkets also caught fire, according to the report.
The investigations are examining whether the incidents were the result of cyberattacks, raising concerns about the vulnerability of temperature-control systems and the potential disruption of food storage and retail operations.
The officials’ accounts, as cited by Reuters, did not identify those responsible or establish whether the incidents were linked.