Chinese Hackers Target Eight U.S. Telecom Firms in Espionage Campaign

Chinese hackers, identified as the group "Salt Typhoon," infiltrated eight American telecommunications companies, according to White House officials. The cyberespionage campaign reportedly aimed to collect intelligence on prominent U.S. citizens, including individuals in government and politics. Senior administration officials, including Anne Neuberger, confirmed the group’s ongoing presence in some networks as cybersecurity teams work to contain and expel the attackers.

The breach’s implications are far-reaching, with reports suggesting that critical systems used for federal wiretapping requests may have been compromised. Telecommunications giants such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are suspected among the affected companies. Meetings between industry leaders and the White House have intensified as federal agencies scramble to secure these critical networks.

In response, a White House-coordinated task force convenes daily to address the situation. Senators, including Marco Rubio, have called the breach "disturbing" and urged additional investigations into the Defense Department’s reliance on telecom providers potentially vulnerable to foreign interference. Meanwhile, Chinese officials continue to deny any involvement in the campaign.

This incident underscores the growing threat of cyberespionage to U.S. critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for collaboration between industry and government to bolster cybersecurity defenses.