Chinese hackers who infiltrated the U.S. wiretap system earlier this month have now expanded their reach to target data from phones used by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and vice presidential candidate JD Vance. Additionally, prominent figures on Capitol Hill and possibly staff members of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign were also targeted, along with companies, according to reports by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
The hackers, known as the “Salt Typhoon” group, accessed the officials’ phone numbers through the infiltration of Verizon phone systems. In response to these cyberattacks, the FBI and CISA issued a joint statement stating that they are investigating the unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China. The statement emphasized the need for collaboration with industry partners to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector.
The investigation into the data accessed by the hackers is ongoing, with concerns raised about the potential extent of compromised data and the wide range of possible victims. There are indications that the hackers may still have access to Verizon’s systems, raising further alarm about the security breach.
In the broader context of foreign election interference, the 2024 presidential race has seen a significant increase in disinformation and hacking campaigns, with Russia, China, and Iran being prominent actors. Recent hacks targeting the Trump campaign by Iranian hackers, as well as ongoing influence efforts by Russia, Iran, and China, underscore the persistent threat to U.S. democratic processes.
Despite these challenges, U.S. cybersecurity and national security officials have reiterated that the election infrastructure remains secure, with disinformation posing a greater threat. CISA Director Jen Easterly reassured the public in a LinkedIn post that election security is robust and that efforts to spread misinformation are aimed at weakening the country and dividing Americans.
Experts like David Becker, from The Center for Election Innovation & Research, emphasize that the risk of hacking machines is overblown due to the widespread use of paper ballots and audits. The presence of verifiable paper ballots ensures that election results can be reconstructed in case of any hacking attempts, further solidifying the security of the electoral process.
In conclusion, while the recent cyberattacks targeting high-profile individuals and companies raise concerns about data security, efforts to safeguard election infrastructure and combat disinformation remain top priorities for U.S. officials. The ongoing investigations into the extent of the breaches and the response from government agencies underscore the challenges posed by foreign adversaries in the digital age.