Government Wiretaps in U.S. Internet Providers Infiltrated by Chinese Hackers

Chinese hackers have reportedly infiltrated U.S. internet providers' systems used for lawful wiretapping, potentially gaining access to sensitive court-authorized wiretap requests and a significant amount of internet traffic. This breach, which targeted major broadband providers such as AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, is considered "historically significant and worrisome" by U.S. officials. The hackers may have had access for several months, allowing them to collect vast amounts of data without needing to conduct individual surveillance. The incident raises concerns about the security of government surveillance practices, particularly the risks associated with backdoors in technology that are intended for lawful interception. Experts speculate that the initial compromise may have involved vulnerabilities in internet edge devices, such as those manufactured by Cisco. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring the integrity of surveillance systems and the potential for foreign adversaries to exploit them.

- Chinese hackers accessed U.S. internet providers' wiretap systems.

- The breach may have lasted for months before detection.

- Major providers affected include AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies.

- The incident raises concerns about the security of government surveillance practices.

- Initial compromise may have involved vulnerabilities in Cisco network devices.