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The cyber attack targeted more than 80 countries.
The cyber attack targeted more than 80 countries.
What is happening?
A Chinese hacking group known as Salt Typhoon has been linked to a sweeping cyberattack campaign that infiltrated targets in more than 80 countries, investigation finds.
Analysts warn the breach could have led to the theft of data from nearly every U.S. citizen, making it China’s most far-reaching operation yet, according to The New York Times.
A global-scale cyber threat
The attack, described as a multi-year and highly coordinated operation, struck telecommunications giants and other critical organizations.
A rare joint statement by global security agencies highlighted the unprecedented reach of the breach, raising serious concerns among Western intelligence services.
Stolen data could power global surveillance
Experts warn the compromised data could allow Chinese intelligence to tap into global communications networks.
Targets may include politicians, intelligence agents, and human rights activists—raising fears that stolen information could be used for surveillance, blackmail, or geopolitical leverage.
Governments unite in condemnation
In a coordinated move, officials from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain issued a joint statement condemning the attack.
British and American authorities called the cyber campaign “unrestricted” and “non-discriminatory,” emphasizing its broad and invasive nature.
Intentions still unclear
While the full motive behind Salt Typhoon’s operation remains murky, The New York Times notes it’s unknown whether ordinary citizens were the intended targets or simply collateral damage.
The scale of the intrusion, however, has raised alarms about just how indiscriminate such attacks can be.
A departure from past tactics
Cynthia Kaiser, a former FBI cybersecurity leader, said the campaign far exceeded earlier Chinese cyber operations, which tended to focus on individuals tied to sensitive government work.
This time, the scope included infrastructure and potentially millions of unrelated individuals.
A shift in China’s cyber strategy
Jennifer Ewbank, the CIA’s former deputy director for digital innovation, called Salt Typhoon a turning point.
Where China once aimed to steal trade secrets, it’s now orchestrating advanced, far-reaching campaigns that deeply infiltrate international networks and infrastructure.
Tech companies with military ties
Investigators tied the attack to three Chinese tech firms operating since 2019.
These companies reportedly maintain close relationships with both China’s military and civilian intelligence services, acting as a bridge for executing operations beyond the country’s borders.
Tracking global targets in real time
The hackers’ main goal, investigators believe, was to help Chinese authorities monitor the communications and movements of selected individuals worldwide.
The breach gave Beijing potential access to sensitive, real-time information across multiple continents.
A wake-up call for cybersecurity worldwide
Salt Typhoon’s actions have signaled a dramatic escalation in the global cyber battlefield.
With such sophisticated tools now in play, nations are being urged to reevaluate their digital defenses—and prepare for an era where cyberattacks are as strategic as military campaigns.
