Official U.S. government statements or press releases

Chinese 'Salt Typhoon' Hackers Target U.S. Telecoms, Record Calls of Senior Officials

Dec 9, 2024, 02:49 PM

A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group known as 'Salt Typhoon' has targeted the communication infrastructure of at least eight U.S. telecommunications providers, according to U.S. officials. The campaign, which has been ongoing for years, aimed at spying on 'very senior' American political figures, including potentially recording their phone calls. The White House has confirmed that the hacking spree has impacted dozens of countries, marking it as one of the largest and most invasive global hacks known. In response, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed that telecom carriers create, update, and implement cybersecurity risk management plans or face penalties. The hacking operation is believed to be part of a broader espionage campaign by China, with the intent to gather intelligence on U.S. officials and infrastructure.