Chinese hackers breach US telecom networks, access wiretapping systems
Sources revealed on Saturday that Chinese hackers accessed the US telecom networks broadband providers and gained data from systems that the federal government operates for court-authorized wiretapping.
A recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal has revealed that Chinese hackers infiltrated the networks of major US broadband providers, including Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies.
The cyberattack, carried out by a Chinese hacking group dubbed “Salt Typhoon” by US investigators, resulted in unauthorized access to highly sensitive systems.
These systems are used by US telecom networks to cooperate with court-authorized wiretapping requests from the US government. The breach, which may have persisted for months undetected, raises concerns over the potential exposure of critical communications data.
Wiretapping Systems Compromised
The hackers reportedly accessed the infrastructure used to comply with legal US wiretapping requests, allowing them to obtain sensitive information.
These systems are designed to assist the government in monitoring communications under court orders, and unauthorized access could jeopardize national security.
In addition to accessing wiretapping data, the hackers are said to have tapped into broader streams of internet traffic, expanding the potential scope of the intelligence collected.
China Denies Involvement
Responding to the report, China’s foreign ministry denied any knowledge of the hacking operation and criticized the US for making unsubstantiated claims.
The ministry accused the US of “concocting a false narrative” aimed at framing China and argued that such accusations undermine global efforts to address cybersecurity issues collaboratively. Beijing has consistently rejected allegations of state-sponsored hacking, despite similar claims from US authorities in the past.
US Cybersecurity Concerns Grow
This breach comes on the heels of earlier cyber espionage campaigns attributed to China, such as “Flax Typhoon” and “Volt Typhoon,” which were disrupted by US law enforcement.
While Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies have yet to comment on the breach, the incident highlights the ongoing cybersecurity tensions between the US and China and the growing concerns over critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.