A major cyberthyrach hacker -related to China’s communist regime may have stolen data from almost all US citizens, according to security officials cited in reports published by The New York Times and by Euronews This Thursday (4).
According to the information, the operation that gave life to the cyberataque, called Salt TyphoonIt lasted years, invaded telecommunications networks and other strategic sectors in the US and more than 80 countries, and the current US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance was still directly targeted during last year’s election campaign.
According to the New York Times, Cyberataque has explored old failures in telephone and internet systems. These breaches allowed Chinese hackers to intercept calls, access unigped text messages, and even files stored on victims’ devices.
According to the joint report of US allies, the goal was to provide Beijing the “ability to identify and track the communications and displacements of their targets around the world”.
Investigations point out that more than six US telecommunications operators have been invaded. In addition, digital criminals attacked hosting, transportation companies and even areas directly linked to military infrastructure, expanding the reach of espionage.
Unprecedented scale
For those responsible for the investigation, the case represents a jump at the level of aggressiveness of Chinese digital spy.
“I can’t imagine that any American has been spared, given the amplitude of the campaign,” he told theTimes Cynthia Kaiser, former chief of the FBI cybersecurity division, which accompanied the investigations.
British and American authorities have classified the Chinese digital offensive as “without restrictions” and “indiscriminate”. Canada, Germany, Italy, Finland, Spain, Japan, South Korea and Australia also signed an official rehalating that exposed the action.
A new level from China
According to Jennifer Ewbank, former Cia director-director for digital innovation, the offensive shows the evolution of Beijing’s abilities.
“In many ways, Salt Typhoon marks a new chapter. Today we see patients sponsored by the state, entrenched in the infrastructure of over 80 countries, characterized by a high level of technical sophistication, patience and persistence,” he said.
The attack was linked to three Chinese technology companies that operate since 2019 and provide services to the Army and China’s intelligence agencies. For experts, large -scale data accumulation follows a Beijing long -term strategy to monitor political opponents, dissidents and even foreign leaders.
The revelation occurred at the same time when Beijing displayed uses military force at a parade at Heavenly Peace Square in Beijing, with tanks, combat planes and thousands of soldiers. For analysts, the episode shows how China seeks to combine military power and digital supremacy.
