Official statements from U.S. government agencies or press releases

Chinese 'Salt Typhoon' Hackers Breach Verizon, AT&T Wiretap Systems

Oct 6, 2024, 03:00 AM

A cyberattack linked to the Chinese government has penetrated the networks of major U.S. broadband providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies. The hacking campaign, dubbed 'Salt Typhoon,' exploited lawful intercept portals mandated under U.S. law, potentially accessing information from systems used by the federal government for court-authorized wiretapping requests. The breach may have allowed the hackers to obtain sensitive data related to wiretap warrant requests and other internet traffic, posing a significant national security threat. The cyberattack is believed to have lasted for several months, during which the hackers maintained undetected access to critical network infrastructure. U.S. investigators are working to assess the extent of the breach and its implications for national security.