China-backed cybercriminals have allegedly attempted to infiltrate phone networks and devices linked to former President Donald Trump, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and members of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, sources told CBS News. These hackers reportedly targeted both past and current government officials, including individuals within the Biden administration. According to officials, this potential breach aimed to access sensitive communication via compromised telecommunication infrastructure.
Following these revelations, the Trump campaign criticized the Harris campaign, claiming they were encouraging China’s cyber activities. However, it remains unclear if the hackers successfully obtained any sensitive information.
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a joint statement on Friday, confirming an ongoing investigation into the “unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.” The U.S. government is working to secure telecommunications systems and prevent further infiltration attempts.
Following the discovery, CISA and the FBI quickly informed affected companies, provided technical aid, and shared relevant information with other entities to preempt further attacks.
The New York Times initially reported this targeted hacking, and sources suggest it is part of a broader Chinese cyber campaign that has infiltrated multiple U.S. telecommunications companies over recent months. Officials believe the cyber actors were aiming to access national security details, including possibly sensitive wiretap warrant requests issued by the Department of Justice. However, there is currently no evidence suggesting that the hackers sought law enforcement-related information specifically on Trump or Vance.
The cyber targets extend to major U.S. broadband providers, including AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen. While China has denied these allegations, U.S. intelligence indicates that foreign actors from China, Russia, and Iran continue efforts to monitor or influence aspects of the U.S. election landscape. Although China is not focused on influencing the presidential election directly, it has covertly targeted at least ten congressional, state, or local races with social media campaigns.
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