The FBI has uncovered a “broad and significant” espionage campaign by Chinese hackers targeting U.S. telecommunications networks and individuals involved in politics. The operation, disclosed Wednesday, highlights Beijing’s ongoing cyber threats to American security.
Federal authorities disrupted a portion of the campaign in September, finding malicious software on over 200,000 U.S. devices. Hackers sought customer call records and technological data from those connected to government activities.
Stories like this come out every day. So, I ask again, WHY are Illinoisans forced to subsidize CCP-backed Gotion? Dump Gotion NOW, Gov. Pritzker or Trump will do it for you.https://t.co/SmyFuTtios pic.twitter.com/qs4b07uGq4
— Jeanne Ives (@JeanneIves) November 15, 2024
Phones linked to President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign were reportedly among the targets. Although specific names were not disclosed, the FBI confirmed the targets were primarily involved in government or political work.
In a joint statement, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said they are assisting affected organizations and sharing intelligence to improve cybersecurity defenses. “We expect our understanding of these compromises to grow as the investigation continues,” the agencies stated.
FBI confirms Chinese hackers accessed US government official devices, networks. https://t.co/KpUTHHmx69 #fbi #securitybreach
— Robert Morton (@Robert4787) November 15, 2024
FBI probe into Chinese hacking finds ‘broad and significant’ espionage campaign https://t.co/sGiqroBsFS
— The Hill (@thehill) November 14, 2024
China has denied any involvement, rejecting accusations of espionage. However, the FBI’s findings suggest a coordinated effort by Beijing to infiltrate U.S. networks and gather sensitive information.
Investigation into Chinese hacking reveals ‘broad and significant’ spying effort, FBI says https://t.co/AcWchyfYwv
— General Spalding (@robert_spalding) November 14, 2024
Federal agencies are urging potential victims to contact their local FBI field office or CISA for assistance. The revelation highlights the growing risk of state-sponsored cyberattacks and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
