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AT&T and Verizon Acknowledge Salt Typhoon Cyberespionage, Networks Secured

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AT&T and Verizon confirmed on Saturday that their systems were targeted by Salt Typhoon, a Chinese-linked cyberespionage operation, but assured the public that their U.S. networks are now secure. Both companies are collaborating with law enforcement and government agencies to assess and mitigate any remaining risks.

An AT&T spokesperson stated, “We detect no activity by nation-state actors in our networks at this time.” They added that the People’s Republic of China targeted a small group of individuals with foreign intelligence value. While only limited information was compromised, AT&T continues to monitor and remediate its networks to safeguard customer data.

Verizon, in its statement, reported similar containment efforts. Chief Legal Officer Craig Silliman said, “We have not detected threat actor activity in Verizon’s network for some time, and after considerable work addressing this incident, we can report that Verizon has contained the activities associated with this particular incident.” The containment has been independently verified by a respected cybersecurity firm.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Federal Communications Commission have not commented on the incident. However, on Friday, officials added a ninth unnamed telecom company to the list of victims. Hackers affiliated with Salt Typhoon allegedly gained extensive access to telecom networks, enabling them to geolocate millions of individuals and intercept phone calls at will.

Chinese officials have dismissed such allegations as disinformation, maintaining that Beijing opposes cyberattacks in all forms. Previous reports linked the Salt Typhoon operation to theft of telephone audio intercepts and call record data from companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) responded to the breach on Dec. 18 by recommending that senior government and political figures transition to end-to-end encrypted communication apps. High-profile targets of Salt Typhoon reportedly included individuals associated with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump’s campaigns.

Lawmakers expressed bipartisan concern over the severity of the breach. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) described it as “the largest telecommunications hack in our nation’s history,” while Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) emphasized the urgent need to address vulnerabilities in the nation’s communications networks.

The Salt Typhoon hack has raised alarm over the scale and impact of Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. telecommunications. Both companies and government agencies face mounting pressure to assure the public about the security of the nation’s critical communication infrastructure.

US Agencies to Brief House on Chinese “Salt Typhoon” Telecom Hacking

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U.S. government agencies are set to hold a classified briefing on Tuesday for the House of Representatives regarding China’s alleged cyber espionage campaign, known as “Salt Typhoon.” The operation reportedly targeted American telecommunications companies, attempting to steal sensitive data, including metadata about U.S. calls.

The briefing, scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET, will involve key agencies such as the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Security Council, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This session follows a similar briefing last week for senators.

Details on the Breach

The White House recently revealed that at least eight U.S. telecommunications companies and telecom infrastructure firms had been impacted by the Salt Typhoon campaign. A significant amount of metadata related to U.S. communications was reportedly stolen.

While Chinese officials have denied the allegations, calling them disinformation, there is growing concern within the U.S. government over the scale of the breach and its implications for national security and privacy.

Legislative and Regulatory Responses

Senator Ron Wyden has indicated he is working on draft legislation in response to the breach, while Senator Bob Casey expressed concerns about the timing of Congressional action, noting that a resolution might not come until next year.

Additionally, a Senate Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to examine how security threats, like Salt Typhoon, pose risks to communication networks and review industry best practices. Tim Donovan, CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association, is scheduled to participate in the hearing.

Security Concerns and Industry Impact

Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the alarming scope of Chinese hacking into U.S. telecom networks, describing it as “mind-boggling” and expressing deep concern about the lack of assurances for the public. The hacking campaign reportedly targeted major telecom companies, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen, extracting sensitive data like telephone audio intercepts and call records.

Looking Ahead

The Salt Typhoon breach has sparked debates about cybersecurity readiness and the need for stronger protections against foreign cyber espionage. U.S. lawmakers and regulators are under pressure to address vulnerabilities in the telecommunications infrastructure and reassure the public on the measures being taken to secure their communications.