White House claims Chinese hackers targeted US telecom companies

The White House announced that Chinese state-sponsored hackers targeted at least eight American telecommunications companies, as well as institutions in other countries, in a significant cyberattack campaign.

In a statement to the U.S. media, White House officials identified the hackers as part of a group known as “Salt Typhoon.” The group allegedly infiltrated major U.S. service providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen, in a coordinated effort to access sensitive information.

The attackers reportedly sought data related to government officials and individuals in political positions, compromising call recordings and cellular information.

Federal authorities, including the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), have launched an investigation into the breach. Both agencies are reportedly collaborating with private sector partners, including Microsoft and Google, to assess the scope of the attack and enhance cybersecurity measures.

The attacks mark an escalation in cyber threats attributed to Chinese state-backed groups, heightening tensions over global cybersecurity vulnerabilities.