Chinese Hackers vs. U.S. Election: New Reports of Cyber Attacks Targeting Key Campaigns

As the U.S. presidential election on November 5 approaches, concerns are rising over potential Chinese cyber interference. Reports indicate that Chinese hacking groups have infiltrated the communications of American political figures. Notably, individuals linked to the campaign of Republican Presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump appear to have been targeted.

The Washington Post reported, citing sources, that a hacker group known as “Salt Typhoon,” believed to be connected to the Chinese government, hacked into phone calls and text messages of U.S. political figures, including an advisor to the Trump campaign, on Monday. The FBI is currently investigating the incident, with dozens of U.S. political figures and American companies identified as targets thus far.

Reports suggest that Chinese hackers also attempted to intercept calls made by staff of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a senior Biden administration official. This raises concerns that hackers may have compromised the internal systems of U.S. telecom companies, which facilitate surveillance by law enforcement when presented with a warrant. The Wall Street Journal noted that Salt Typhoon has been conducting large-scale hacking operations targeting prominent figures in politics and national security for several months.

Reports had surfaced indicating that Chinese hackers attempted to breach the mobile phones of Trump, his running mate Senator JD Vance, and associates of Vice President Kamala Harris on October 25. Political news outlet The Hill remarked that “China is escalating its efforts to interfere in the U.S. election.”

Concerns have also been raised about the potential manipulation of public opinion by circulating false information. Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) released a report detailing the interference efforts of Russia, Iran, and China in the U.S. election on October 23. The report suggested that Chinese hackers targeted specific Republican candidates and members of the House of Representatives who support anti-China policies, aiming to sway public sentiment against them. It highlighted these efforts as part of China’s ongoing attempts to influence U.S. politics broadly. China has denied these hacking allegations. The Chinese embassy emphasized on Sunday that “the election is a matter of U.S. internal affairs.”

Allegations of Chinese cyber interference attempts have frequently emerged during U.S. elections. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), which oversees U.S. intelligence agencies, reported earlier this year that TikTok accounts operated by a Shenzhen-based entity propagated false information about candidates during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Cautioning that “China may take measures to interfere in this year’s election.”