Articles today in both the New York Times and Washington Post carry further details about “Salt Typhoon,” the moniker that Microsoft has given to the latest Chinese hacking group. It’s still not clear whether Salt Typhoon was able to listen to the words used during calls made to and from the Republican and Democratic candidates for president, or their close aides, plus Chuck Schumer. But even if they obtained only “meta data,” the Chinese would be able to figure out who influential people turn to by phone, how frequently, and how long they talk. That alone would allow a “mapping” of decision-making by top American officials in both parties. Salt Typhoon might still be inside. No one knows for sure.
When you combine this penetration with the Chinese hacking emails at senior levels in the Departments of Commerce and State and Volt Typhoon’s penetration of U.S. military communications in Guam, a vital military hub, the picture of Chinese penetration of American government communications becomes stunningly clear. The Chinese are inside and are listening. Are we commensurately as deep inside their systems? I’m sure we have some assets but China has the Great Firewall and its telecommunication companies are under state control. Huawei was a creation of the People’s Liberation Army. State censors are reading millions of emails and monitoring WeChat. The very open nature of our system is what makes us so vulnerable. Are we willing to do anything about it?
