Republican South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has issued a stern warning to Americans about the invasive reach of Chinese state-sponsored hackers. In a recent event at Halifax The Forum, Rounds revealed that these hackers have infiltrated all major U.S.
telecommunications firms, giving them access to every phone call and text made in America. This alarming revelation comes at a time when the Biden administration is urging stricter cybersecurity measures to combat Chinese aggression, highlighting the need to prioritize national security and protect Americans’ privacy.
Rounds stated, “Any one of us and every one of us today is subject to the review by the Chinese Communist government of any cell phone conversation you have with anyone in America.” This statement highlights the severity of the situation and emphasizes the urgent need for action. The Chinese Communist government is known for tightly controlling its citizens through surveillance and censorship, and now they have expanded their reach to the American public.
This breach, identified as the work of the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon, has impacted all major telecom providers in the country, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has called this the “worst telecom hack in our nation’s history,” and the breach remains ongoing despite intervention from the FBI. This highlights the new administration’s failure to effectively address cybersecurity threats and protect American citizens.
Not even the government is safe from these hackers, as they reportedly accessed law enforcement wiretap request logs, which revealed sensitive information about former President Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and White House officials. This is a breach of privacy and security that should not be taken lightly, especially when national security is at stake.
Contrary to liberal media reports, this is not a partisan issue. Even Trump appointees in the national security sector acknowledge the need for heightened focus on combating cyber threats. As Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger stated, “We must lock our digital doors.” This statement echoes the sentiments of former President Trump, who was a vocal advocate for increased cybersecurity measures during his term.
It is time for the Biden administration to step up and protect American citizens from foreign cyber threats. The safety and privacy of the American people should be the top priority, and it is imperative that immediate action is taken to expel these hackers from our telecommunications networks. Failure to do so will only lead to the further compromise of national security and the invasion of personal privacy.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
