Chinese hackers target US telecoms for national security data
A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. (Reuters Photo)
Chinese government-linked hackers have infiltrated several U.S. telecommunications companies in recent months, most likely looking for sensitive national security information, CNN reported on Saturday, citing multiple unnamed sources.
U.S. investigators believe the hackers may have accessed wiretap warrant requests, two sources said.
However, the broadcaster reported officials are still investigating what information the hackers may have obtained.
U.S. broadband and internet providers AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen are among the companies targeted, the sources said.
Representatives from AT&T and Lumen declined to comment, while Verizon did not respond to requests for comment, CNN reported.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI also declined to comment.
However, the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied any involvement, calling the allegations “a distortion of the fact.”
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the embassy, accused the U.S. of “politicizing cybersecurity issues to smear China.”
