A Chinese hacking campaign targeted U.S. telecommunication networks, including the phones of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, his running mate Sen. JD Vance, and individuals affiliated with Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. Additionally, the staff of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was also targeted. It is unclear if any campaign devices were successfully compromised or if communications were stolen. The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are investigating the unauthorized access by actors affiliated with China.
The U.S. government concluded that China hacked three American telecommunications companies: AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies. Verizon confirmed being targeted by a “highly sophisticated nation-state actor.” However, no U.S. officials have suggested this is part of a “hack-and-leak” operation to influence the 2024 election. China’s embassy denied knowledge of the situation and claimed China has no intention to interfere in U.S. elections.
While Iran and Russia have been accused of trying to sway voters in the 2024 election, China’s cyberespionage operations do not seem to be aimed at influencing the presidential race specifically, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Reporters Kevin Collier, Ken Dilanian, and Tom Winter from NBC News covered the story, with Brian Cheung contributing.
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