Chinese hackers targeted the cell phones of former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance, according to The New York Times.
The Trump campaign was notified at some time earlier this week that Trump and Vance were two of several people inside and outside of government targeted by hackers who managed to penetrate Verizon’s phone systems, according to the NYT, which granted its sources anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. Investigators probing the breach are in the process of figuring out what kinds of data, if any, may have been accessed by the hackers.
Even if the hackers were unable to determine the contents of messages or calls, simply knowing which people are in contact with high-profile politicians like Trump and Vance could be of value to China because the information could allow it to select targets for influence operations from their respective inner circles, according to the NYT. Security experts believe that a China-linked hacking outfit called Salt Typhoon had burrowed into American telecommunications networks, but investigators reportedly only recently realized that the breachers were targeting specific phone numbers.
Biden admin: Iran is trying to get Kamala elected…https://t.co/m08Ei7Cqgt
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 19, 2024
It is unclear whether the hackers had the ability to record phone calls or monitor text messages, which would depend on what specific apps the targets use and how those apps transmit data across the telecommunications companies’ networks, according to the NYT. The hacking operation in question reportedly spans beyond the people involved in the 2024 presidential race, indicating that the breach could have broader implications for national security.
Iranian hackers have also targeted the Trump campaign over the course of the 2024 election cycle, and threats on Trump’s life from the Iranian regime have also prompted increased security for the former president, according to the NYT.
“This is the continuation of election interference by Kamala Harris and Democrats who will stop at nothing, including emboldening China and Iran attacking critical American infrastructure, to prevent President Trump from returning to the White House,” Stephen Cheung, communications director for the Trump campaign, said in a statement. “Their dangerous and violent rhetoric has given permission to those who wish to harm President Trump.”
“They have now stood by and allowed major foreign adversaries to attack us in order to illegally help Kamala because they know she represents a weak American who will always bow down,” Cheung’s statement continued. “Whereas, President Trump will actually stand up against our enemies and defend the United States from any and all aggression.”
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