A Chinese hacking campaign targeted U.S. telecommunication networks, including the phones of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance, and staff members of Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. It is unclear if any communications were stolen. The FBI and CISA are investigating the unauthorized access to telecommunications infrastructure by Chinese actors. Three American telecommunications companies, including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, were hacked. Verizon confirmed the intrusion by a nation-state actor and is working to assess and remediate any impact.
There is no evidence to suggest this is part of an effort to influence the 2024 U.S. election, unlike previous operations by Iran and Russia. China has a history of cyberespionage targeting U.S. businesses and government figures. The U.S. has accused China of seeking to undermine democratic processes but does not believe they aim to influence the presidential race. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not confirm if this assessment still holds. China’s embassy in the U.S. denied knowledge of the situation and stated they do not interfere in U.S. elections.
Reporters from NBC News, including Kevin Collier, Ken Dilanian, and Tom Winter, covered the hacking incident. The Chinese hacking campaign reflects ongoing global cybersecurity threats and the need for vigilance in safeguarding sensitive information and critical infrastructure.
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