The FBI has initiated an inquiry into suspected hacking activities by China following reports indicating potential compromise of the mobile phones belonging to Donald Trump and JD Vance.
According to The New York Times, Chinese hackers specifically targeted the mobile devices used by the Republican presidential candidate and his vice-presidential running mate, as well as individuals linked to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Reports suggest that these hackers gained unauthorized access through Verizon’s network, prompting investigators to assess if any sensitive communications were intercepted. The Associated Press also verified that members of the Harris campaign were subject to similar targeting.
In response, both the FBI and CISA issued a joint statement confirming an ongoing investigation into “unauthorized access” within the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure by entities associated with China. They emphasized a collaborative effort across government agencies and industry partners to bolster cyber defenses in response.
While specific targets were not disclosed, Verizon acknowledged a sophisticated attempt aimed at U.S. telecoms for intelligence gathering purposes.
The Trump campaign was reportedly notified this week about potential targeting of phone numbers linked to the former president and Vance via Verizon systems infiltration. However, no official confirmation was provided regarding this incident from their end.
As for the Democratic campaign, they have yet to address these allegations publicly.
High alert
The revelation of prominent political figures being targeted underscores heightened concerns over foreign interference during this critical phase of the presidential race in America.
Prior security breaches within…
Original from www.aljazeera.com
