Archive · 4 Sep 2025
China's Salt Typhoon Hack: Data on Most Americans Stolen
Chinese hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, have been stealing information from computer systems around the world for years.
They targeted important networks like those of phone companies, the government, transportation, and lodging companies.
The goal was to gather data to track people's communications and movements.
Experts believe this campaign may have collected data on most Americans.
These hacks are considered to be extensive and ambitious, showing how advanced China's cyber capabilities have become.
Officials from the US, UK, and other countries have spoken out about these attacks.
Salt Typhoon, a China-backed hacking group, targeted networks globally for years.
The attacks focused on sectors including telecommunications, government, and transportation.
The hackers may have collected data on practically all Americans, per a NYT report.
The aim was to track communications and movements.
The US, UK, and other countries have condemned China's role.
- Who
- China-backed hackers (Salt Typhoon)
- What
- Stole data from various networks worldwide, potentially including data on most Americans.
- When
- Years-long campaign, since at least 2019
- Where
- Globally, including the US
- Why
- To track targets’ communications and movements and gain global influence.
China's Perspective
US/Allies Perspective
Actions
China's Perspective
Unknown
US/Allies Perspective
Condemnation and accusations of 'unrestrained' and 'indiscriminate' hacking targeting global infrastructure.
- Hacking Group
- Salt Typhoon
- Targeted Countries
- Over 80
- Target Sectors
- Telecommunications, Government, Transportation, Lodging, Military
- Data Collected
- Potentially all Americans' data
- Report Source
- The New York Times
- China's Aim
- Track targets' communications and movements, and gain global influence
