With the U.S. presidential election just about 10 days away, Chinese hackers have reportedly attempted to hack the phones of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance. On October 25 (local time), the Associated Press cited sources in reporting this development.
Chinese Hackers Attempt to Hack Phones of Trump and Vance Candidates
Investigation Underway
U.S. authorities have launched an investigation into the matter, although it remains unclear what information may have been leaked from the phones of Trump and Vance. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not directly mention Trump or Vance but stated that it is investigating incidents where "Chinese-related hackers unlawfully accessed commercial communication infrastructure."
The FBI added, "U.S. government agencies are actively working together to counter this threat and are also collaborating with the industry to enhance cybersecurity across the commercial communication sector."
Response from Trump's Campaign
In response, Trump's campaign claimed that the current administration has made foreign hacking attacks bolder, targeting Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. However, the campaign did not provide specific details regarding the Chinese hacking attempt.
Warnings About Chinese Hacker Activities
FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned in January that the bureau had blocked a Chinese hacking group known as "Volt Typhoon," highlighting that the FBI has issued multiple warnings regarding Chinese hacking activities over the past year. Additionally, last month, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted three Iranian hackers for preparing and executing a "widespread hacking operation" targeting current and former U.S. government officials, political campaigns, and journalists.
This incident underscores the security concerns surrounding presidential candidates and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity in the current political landscape.
