Here’s what Americans need to know.
The Biden administration has confirmed that a ninth U.S. telecommunications company has fallen victim to a major Chinese espionage campaign, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in American cybersecurity. This latest revelation underscores the growing threat posed by China’s cyber activities, which have already compromised the private communications of Americans, including sensitive text messages and phone calls.
Earlier this month, the administration disclosed that at least eight telecommunications companies, along with dozens of nations, had been infiltrated as part of a Chinese operation known as Salt Typhoon. The Biden administration’s National Security team now says a ninth company has been identified as a target. Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger revealed that, after issuing guidance to the private sector on how to spot Chinese hackers, the effort to uncover these breaches continues.
The hackers infiltrated the networks of telecommunications firms to collect valuable customer data, including call records and private communications. Though the FBI has not publicly named the affected companies or individuals, it is believed that high-ranking U.S. government officials and political figures are among those whose communications were breached.
While the full scale of the attack remains unclear, officials believe the hackers specifically targeted government officials and political figures. A significant number of victims are believed to be located in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, regions where the government and political activity are concentrated.
Neuberger emphasized the need for stronger, more stringent cybersecurity measures in the telecommunications sector, a position the Federal Communications Commission is expected to address in an upcoming meeting. She also pointed out that the current voluntary cybersecurity practices are insufficient to guard against state-sponsored threats from adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.
Despite the mounting evidence, the Chinese government has denied any involvement in the cyberattacks. As the situation develops, further government action is expected to hold China accountable for its role in undermining U.S. security.