China-Linked Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Networks, Access Law Enforcement Data

Washington, D.C. — China-linked hackers have accessed surveillance data intended for American law enforcement after breaching the networks of several U.S. telecommunications companies, according to a joint statement released by the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Wednesday.

The hackers compromised multiple telecom networks, obtaining U.S. customer call records and communications involving a limited group of individuals, many of whom are active in government or political roles. The FBI and CISA further disclosed that the hackers copied certain data included in U.S. law enforcement requests authorized by court orders.

The joint statement provided few additional details on the breach, and both the FBI and CISA refrained from further comment. However, the incident echoes concerns highlighted in recent media reports, including from the Wall Street Journal, which reported that Chinese hackers may have gained backdoor access to systems used by law enforcement to surveil U.S. telecommunications.

This breach comes amid reports that Chinese hackers allegedly targeted phones belonging to high-profile figures such as former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator JD Vance during their candidacies, fueling concerns over the security of American telecom infrastructure.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Safety Review Board is slated to investigate the matter as part of its mandate to analyze major cybersecurity incidents. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to requests for comment, though Beijing has consistently denied U.S. allegations of hacking activity.