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A Chinese government-backed hacking group reportedly breached the networks of major US broadband providers.

What’s the deal: According to the Wall Street Journal, a hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon” infiltrated the networks of multiple major US broadband providers, including Verizon and AT&T. The hack, which is still being investigated, possibly resulted in the hackers gaining access to systems used for court-authorized wiretapping requests. The hackers also reportedly monitored a wide range of generic internet traffic in the US.  

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A pattern: This development comes as US officials, including the FBI and top Pentagon leaders, have repeatedly warned that Chinese hacking groups are attempting to penetrate critical US infrastructure, such as power grids, water treatment facilities, and transportation networks. These are believed to be part of a broader Chinese strategy to preposition themselves within critical systems, enabling them to launch crippling attacks in the event of a conflict with the US.

Earlier this year, at a hearing on Capitol Hill, top Pentagon officials warned that by embedding in these networks, China could disrupt essential services and potentially undermine the US’s ability to respond effectively during a crisis or war.

Something you should know: The hackers involved in these cyberattacks are often third-party groups affiliated with the Chinese government but operate in a way that provides plausible deniability for the state. These groups, like Salt Typhoon, are not officially part of the Chinese government, yet they are believed to work under its direction, carrying out espionage and intelligence-gathering missions.  

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