US Accuses China of Extensive Cyber-Espionage Targeting Telecommunications
U.S. officials have accused Chinese state-sponsored hackers of conducting a vast cyber-espionage campaign targeting American telecommunications companies. The cyberattacks, attributed to the Chinese hacking group known as Salt Typhoon, reportedly infiltrated multiple telecom networks, accessing sensitive data and compromising the communications of individuals in government and politics, according to a statement released Wednesday by U.S. officials.
The hackers allegedly breached several major telecommunications companies, stealing customer call records and accessing information subject to U.S. law enforcement requests. Though the statement did not specify which companies were affected, recent reports suggest that AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. were among the targets. There is growing concern that the hackers accessed systems used for court-authorized wiretapping, potentially compromising sensitive surveillance operations.
High-Profile Targets and Broader Security Implications
The Salt Typhoon intrusions are suspected of targeting high-profile individuals, including former President Donald Trump, his family members, and members of Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign staff, according to sources cited by the New York Times. Investigators are still piecing together the full scope of the breach, with the FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) actively assisting affected entities.
U.S. authorities have reportedly notified dozens of organizations, including regional internet service providers, of their potential exposure in the attacks. Experts believe Salt Typhoon may have exploited an access point in the wiretap system, allowing them to bypass security safeguards and selectively monitor specific phone numbers.
Congressional Briefings and National Security Concerns
Last week, U.S. intelligence agencies briefed Congressional staffers on the Salt Typhoon attacks. During the briefing, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon expressed deep concern, stating, “This is as concerning to me as anything I’ve seen since coming here.” The breach is particularly alarming because it occurred within U.S. borders, targeting systems that officials believed were secure.
A U.S. State Department official noted that awareness of the Salt Typhoon attacks had been circulating for weeks through interagency channels, emphasizing the widespread potential impact on both large and smaller telecommunications providers.
Ongoing Investigation and International Tensions
As the investigation unfolds, U.S. authorities remain cautious, stating that a full understanding of the compromise will require time. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has yet to respond to the allegations. The scope of Salt Typhoon’s infiltration—alongside the potential for high-level surveillance of political figures and campaign staff—has intensified U.S. concerns about cybersecurity resilience and the adequacy of existing safeguards.
The U.S. government’s efforts to secure telecom infrastructure against foreign threats are now under scrutiny, with officials acknowledging that the scale and depth of these attacks underscore vulnerabilities in a sector that is critical to national security.