U.S. Warns of Potential Chinese Espionage, Tampering with Pacific Undersea Cables

May 19, 2024, 04:07 PM

U.S. officials are privately warning telecommunications companies about potential vulnerabilities in undersea cables that ferry internet traffic across the Pacific Ocean. These cables, which are partially owned by companies like Google and Meta Platforms, could be susceptible to tampering by Chinese repair ships. The concerns highlight the risk of espionage and interference in critical infrastructure. The U.S. State Department has raised alarms about the involvement of China-owned repair specialists in maintaining these undersea cables.