PRC-backed Salt Typhoon hack targets U.S. telecoms, national security at risk
Chinese government hackers penetrated major American telecommunications companies through a campaign affecting nearly 400 million subscribers at Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The multiyear operation targeted political candidates’ phones, law enforcement wiretapping systems, and military networks while stealing call records, geolocation data, and classified information. Senator Mark Warner called the breach the worst telecommunications hack in American history.
Federal authorities struggled to remove the attackers from domestic networks despite repeated attempts by telecommunications providers. Officials warned that the hackers maintained persistent access across multiple systems and compromised an Army National Guard network between March and December 2024. The breach enabled tracking soldiers on military bases and monitoring sealed court-issued wiretapping orders.
Security experts recommended that Congress establish clear retaliation thresholds requiring proportionate offensive responses to major cyberattacks. The government should expand sanctions against Chinese companies, mandate incident reporting to federal cybersecurity agencies and strengthen infrastructure reviews. Effective deterrence requires resilient networks capable of withstanding counterattacks before launching offensive operations.
