US lawmakers to probe China’s role in telecom breaches

The US Senate Judiciary subcommittee will convene a hearing on Tuesday to investigate recent Chinese cyberattacks targeting American telecommunications companies. The hearing, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, will delve into the national security threats posed by these breaches and their impact on the US economy.

Authorities allege that China-linked hackers accessed surveillance data from telecom networks, intercepting sensitive communications tied to government and political figures. This breach has heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure, especially as bipartisan lawmakers scrutinise the role of major providers like AT&T and Verizon.

The session will also include discussions on Elon Musk’s business ties with China amid his growing involvement in US government affairs.

Witnesses, including cybersecurity and industry experts, are expected to shed light on the scale and potential consequences of these incidents. Beijing, however, has denied any involvement in cyber espionage activities.