World News | US Lawmakers Demand Briefing from Telecom Giants Amid Reports of CCP-sponsored Cyber Attack | LatestLY
US Representative John Moolenaar and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi have called for a briefing from telecom giants Verizon, AT&T, and LumenTech after alarming reports emerged concerning a Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-sponsored cyber attack targeting these firms.
According to a statement by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, both Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi formally requested that Verizon, AT&T, and LumenTech provide a briefing to the committee following the reports of an attack believed to be supported by the CCP.
Recent reports indicate that a cyber attack linked to the CCP may have compromised the networks of multiple U.S. broadband providers, potentially affecting systems utilized for court-authorized wiretapping requests. This information was highlighted in an October 5 report by a major media outlet.
Furthermore, the report suggests that hackers may have gained prolonged access to critical network infrastructure, raising significant national security concerns. A senior U.S. intelligence official emphasized that this breach could allow the CCP to monitor U.S. government interests and undermine intelligence gathering efforts or disseminate disinformation.
The letter from the lawmakers specifically points to a hacking group known as Salt Typhoon, which is reportedly associated with China’s Ministry of State Security. Earlier in the year, the Select Committee had addressed similar threats posed by another hacking unit called Volt Typhoon, which had successfully compromised U.S. critical infrastructure.
The Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party was established to confront the challenges posed by the CCP to the United States and its allies. Its focus includes investigating the CCP’s involvement in espionage, trade-related issues, technology theft, and human rights violations. The committee also oversees U.S. government policies to ensure alignment with national security interests.
In light of these recent developments, the committee has underscored the urgent need for enhancements to the United States’ cybersecurity strategies to counteract these unprecedented threats.
