Most as few as eight American telecoms and dozens of countries were affected by a Chinese hacking attack, announced the deputy adviser for national security in the White House, Ann Neuberger, quoted by the Associated Press, writes BTA.
According to Neuberger, as a result of the hacking attack, private messages and phone call data of an unknown number of Americans were leaked.
According to US authorities, the hackers also had access to the communications of high-ranking government officials and prominent political figures.
„We do not believe that any classified information has been compromised,” Neuberger said in a conversation with journalists.
She noted that relatively few people were targeted in the attack, so relatively few phone calls and text messages were leaked.
Neuberger added that all affected companies have responded to the attack, but none have yet “completely removed Chinese actors from these networks”.
„So there is a risk of continued compromise of communications. Until U.S. companies address cybersecurity gaps, the Chinese will likely retain access, Neuberger said.
She said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the hacking attacks and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything possible to get to those behind the attacks”.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has denied accusations that it has anything to do with the hacking attacks.