WASHINGTON – A cyberattack allegedly orchestrated by Chinese hackers has been described as the most significant breach of U.S. telecommunications systems in history, according to Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
The attack, revealed earlier this month, targeted multiple telecom providers, intercepting surveillance data intended for U.S. law enforcement. Hackers also accessed call records and communications of individuals primarily involved in government or political activities, according to a joint statement from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
“This is an ongoing, systematic effort to exploit global telecom networks for data theft,” Warner said, adding that the attack highlighted serious vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.Reports suggest the breach was broader than previously disclosed, with attackers allegedly intercepting real-time phone calls and messages. High-profile targets reportedly included senior political figures, raising further concerns over national security.
The Chinese government, frequently accused of state-sponsored hacking, has denied the allegations. However, U.S. officials have called for urgent measures to strengthen the security of telecom systems to prevent similar breaches in the future. The FBI and CISA are continuing their investigation into the attack, which has drawn attention to the need for improved cybersecurity in protecting sensitive data and communication networks.