Chinese Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Networks, Access Sensitive Data

On July 10, 2013, a hacker, who chose to remain anonymous, was seen working on his laptop, as reported by Reuters. Recent disclosures from the Wall Street Journal reveal that Chinese hackers infiltrated the networks of prominent U.S. broadband service providers, accessing sensitive information connected to federal systems utilized for court-sanctioned wiretapping.

Among the companies targeted in this cyber breach are Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies. The report suggests that these hackers may have maintained access to the telecommunications infrastructure for an extended period, allowing them to gather communications data linked to legal requests from U.S. authorities, as well as tapping into other streams of internet traffic.

China's foreign ministry has not provided an immediate response to inquiries regarding these allegations. Historically, the Chinese government has refuted similar claims made by the U.S. and other nations, insisting it does not condone hacking into foreign computer systems.

In response to the incident, Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies were also called upon to comment but have not yet issued any statements. According to the Wall Street Journal, the cyber intrusion was orchestrated by a Chinese hacking collective aiming to gather intelligence, which U.S. investigators have named "Salt Typhoon." Earlier this year, U.S. law enforcement agencies successfully disrupted another significant Chinese hacking operation known as "Flax Typhoon," following prior confrontations with Beijing over extensive cyber espionage activities under the initiative "Volt Typhoon.