Chinese hackers target US telecoms in major cyber-espionage operation: Report

A major cyber-espionage campaign linked to Chinese state-sponsored hackers has targeted several US telecommunications companies , including T-Mobile , Reuters reported quoting the Wall Street Journal.

The FBI and the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency (CISA) issued a joint statement revealing that hackers, believed to be affiliated with the Chinese government, compromised the networks of multiple telecom providers. Their goal was to obtain sensitive information, particularly from individuals involved in US government or political activities, the report said. While the FBI did not disclose the identities of the affected individuals, it confirmed that most of them were likely linked to political or governmental work.

The hackers accessed customer call records and potentially intercepted private communications, although there is no evidence so far that customer data has been significantly impacted, as per the WSJ report. T-Mobile, one of the companies affected, has reassured its users that it is closely monitoring the situation and that no personal information appears to have been compromised. The attack forms part of a wider effort by China to infiltrate key infrastructure and gather intelligence on political, military, and technological developments. The FBI also noted that the hackers targeted data related to US law enforcement surveillance, suggesting that they were attempting to compromise sensitive programs such as those authorised under the foreign intelligence surveillance act (FISA).

This cyber-attack follows a series of similar incidents attributed to Chinese hackers . Earlier this year, US authorities exposed a large-scale hacking operation, codenamed "Flax Typhoon," in which malicious software was installed on over 200,000 consumer devices, including home routers and security cameras, creating a vast botnet. Furthermore, Chinese hackers have previously targeted the personal devices of political figures, including presidential candidates and high-ranking officials, raising further concerns about the scope of Chinese cyber-espionage efforts.

While the Chinese government has consistently denied involvement in such activities, US officials have linked these attacks to broader state-sponsored campaigns aimed at stealing technological, political, and intelligence data. The FBI and CISA are working with telecommunications companies to strengthen defences against future intrusions, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the breach.