US officials confirm Chinese hackers had access to law enforcement wiretap systems for months
Federal authorities revealed that Chinese state-sponsored hackers infiltrated multiple US telecommunications providers and gained unauthorized access to law enforcement surveillance systems, potentially exposing sensitive communications data of millions of Americans.
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) disclosed that the hacking group known as "Salt Typhoon" successfully breached the networks of major telecom companies, including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, though the agencies did not explicitly name the affected carriers.
During the months-long intrusion, the hackers accessed customer call records and internet traffic data, with a particular focus on individuals involved in government and political activities. Intelligence gathered through the compromised wiretap systems may have included private communications of high-profile targets like former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
The breach also exposed details about active law enforcement surveillance requests, potentially jeopardizing ongoing investigations. The hackers exploited vulnerabilities within telecommunications infrastructure to conduct widespread intelligence gathering operations.
While China's government denied any involvement, with an official spokesperson stating opposition to "cyberattacks in all forms," US authorities maintain that the sophisticated campaign bears hallmarks of state-sponsored activity.
The FBI and CISA continue working with impacted companies to investigate the full scope of the intrusion. The agencies have urged organizations across the telecommunications sector to remain alert and report any suspicious network activity that could indicate unauthorized access to surveillance systems.
This incident highlights growing concerns about foreign actors targeting critical US infrastructure and communications networks for espionage purposes. Cybersecurity experts warn that such breaches could enable adversaries to gather intelligence while potentially disrupting law enforcement operations.