Chinese hackers breached U.S. telecom firm earlier than known; Beijing-linked malware lingered for seven months starting summer 2023.

Chinese hackers breached U.S. telecom firm earlier than known; Beijing-linked malware lingered for seven months starting summer 2023.

Recent revelations have disclosed that Chinese hackers infiltrated a U.S. telecommunications company in the summer of 2023, indicating a breach of the communications system earlier than initially reported. Corporate investigators identified malware linked to Chinese state-backed hacking groups on the company's systems, which persisted for seven months from the summer of 2023. This information was disclosed by individuals familiar with the investigation and corroborated by documents [1].

The breach underscores the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive infrastructure from international cyber threats, highlighting vulnerabilities within the nation's digital communication networks. The intrusion came about a year before U.S. government officials and cybersecurity companies began spotting clues that Chinese hackers had penetrated many of the country's largest phone and wireless firms. The U.S. government has blamed the later breaches on a Chinese state-backed hacking group dubbed Salt Typhoon [3].

The discovery of the 2023 intrusion raises questions about when Chinese intruders established a foothold in the American communications industry. Marc Rogers, a cybersecurity and telecommunications expert, stated, "What this shows us is that it was attacked, and that going as far back as 2023, the Chinese were compromising our telecom companies" [3].

The Chinese government has denied involvement in the hacking incidents, stating that the relevant party needs to stop using cybersecurity to smear and slander China and stop spreading disinformation about the so-called Chinese hacking threats [3]. The U.S. government and its allies have been accused of cyberattacks on China, according to the Chinese government spokesperson Liu Pengyu [3].

The revelation of this earlier breach comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China over international student policies. The U.S. government has announced it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in sensitive areas. This move has stirred anxiety among students and universities, raising concerns about America’s appeal as a global education hub and the future of international academic exchange [2].

The evolving policies have left many students uncertain about their futures in the U.S. A graduate student from China, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed fears about being treated as threats. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association representing international educators, said the suspension of visa appointments "will do further damage to the U.S. reputation as a destination country" [2].

The impact of these policies extends beyond visa control. The administration’s aggressive stance includes arrests and deportations of students involved in pro-Palestine campus protests and the abrupt ending of legal protections for international students [2].

The 2023 hack at an American telecommunications company, which hasn’t been previously reported, came about a year before US government officials and cybersecurity companies said they began spotting clues that Chinese hackers had penetrated many of the country's largest phone and wireless firms. The US government has blamed the later breaches on a Chinese state-backed hacking group dubbed Salt Typhoon [3].

References:
[1] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/3447536-chinese-hackers-infiltrate-us-telecom-system-earlier-than-reported
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-to-revoke-visas-of-chinese-students-linked-to-chinese-communist-party-or-critical-fields-marco-rubio-announces/articleshow/121476932.cms
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-04/chinese-hacked-us-telecom-a-year-before-known-wireless-breaches

Ask Aime: What was the impact of the Chinese hack on US telecom firms?