A Chinese-backed hacking group, known as "Salt Typhoon," has compromised nine US telecommunications companies, raising serious concerns about national security and individual privacy.
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| The US government has added a ninth telecommunications company to the list of victims of the "Salt Typhoon" cyberespionage operation, believed to be orchestrated by Chinese state-sponsored actors. Image: Anne Neuberger, the U.S. deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology |
Washington, USA - December 28, 2024:
US officials have expanded the list of telecommunications companies compromised by the Chinese-linked cyberespionage operation known as "Salt Typhoon." This brings the total to nine companies, including major players like Verizon and AT&T.
The revelation came from Anne Neuberger, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, who stated that the latest victim was identified after the government shared guidance on detecting and mitigating the threat.
The Salt Typhoon campaign hasraised significant alarm, with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) urging government and political figures to shift to end-to-end encrypted messaging apps. This follows reports that the hackers targeted individuals associated with past presidential campaigns.
Officials have acknowledged the breach resulted in a substantial amount of American metadata being accessed. While Chinese authorities have dismissed these allegations as disinformation, the incident has sparked calls for increased network security measures.
Senator Ben Ray Lujan termed Salt Typhoon the "largest telecommunications hack in our nation's history," emphasizing the need to secure communications networks.
In response, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules requiring telecommunications carriers to strengthen their network defenses.
Neuberger underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that the Chinese attackers gained "broad and full access" to networks, enabling them to track individuals' locations and intercept phone calls. The updated FCC rules are intended to limit the potential scope and impact of future intrusions.
This ongoing cyberespionage campaign highlights the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect both individual privacy and national security.