Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
4w ago

U.S. and Allies Warn China-Linked ‘Salt Typhoon’ May Have Swept Up Data on Nearly Every American

A rare joint advisory from Western security services says China-linked Salt Typhoon burrowed into telecom routers for years to enable global tracking.

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Image
Image

Overview

  • Investigators say the campaign infiltrated major telecommunications and internet providers, as well as lodging and transportation networks, enabling identification and tracking of targets worldwide.
  • Officials report that phones used by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during the 2024 campaign were accessed via breaches at multiple U.S. carriers.
  • The operation spans more than 80 countries and, according to an FBI warning, has touched roughly 600 companies across critical sectors.
  • Attackers exploited older backbone, provider-edge and customer-edge routers, modifying devices to maintain long-term access and, in some cases, to access calls, texts and even court‑authorized wiretap requests.
  • Authorities link the activity to at least three China-based technology firms tied to military and intelligence services, as Beijing denies the allegations and agencies issue mitigation guidance.