Iran behind hack of French magazine Charlie Hebdo, Microsoft says

3D printed models of people working on computers and padlock are seen in front of a displayed "cyber security" words and binary code in this picture illustration taken, February 1, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - An Iranian government-backed hacking team allegedly stole and leaked private customer data belonging to French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, security researchers at Microsoft said on Friday.

The magazine was hacked in early January after it published a series of cartoons that negatively depicted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The caricatures were part of a media campaign that Charlie Hebdo said was intended to support anti-government protests in the Islamic nation.