Chinese Hackers Infiltrate US Court's Wiretap Systems, Exposing Sensitive Information in Major Security Breach

October 6, 2024

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese hackers have breached the wiretap systems of U.S. courts, allowing them to access sensitive information about ongoing investigations and cases, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

The hackers, who are believed to be sponsored by the Chinese government, gained access to the court’s wiretap systems through a vulnerability in the software used to manage the systems, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The breach, which is believed to have occurred in 2020, allowed the hackers to access sensitive information about ongoing investigations and cases, including wiretap recordings and other sensitive data, the Journal reported.

The hack is the latest in a series of high-profile cyber attacks on U.S. government agencies and institutions, and is likely to further strain relations between the U.S. and China.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which oversees the federal court system, declined to comment on the breach.

The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the hack, saying that it “firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks in all forms,” the Journal reported.

The breach has raised concerns about the security of the U.S. court system, which handles sensitive and confidential information, including wiretap recordings and other data related to ongoing investigations and cases.

The hack also highlights the ongoing threat posed by Chinese hackers, who have been linked to a number of high-profile cyber attacks on U.S. government agencies and institutions in recent years.

The U.S. government has been working to improve the security of its systems, but the breach of the court’s wiretap systems is a reminder that more needs to be done to protect sensitive information, experts say.

“This is a serious breach that highlights the ongoing threat posed by Chinese hackers,” said a cybersecurity expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The U.S. government needs to take immediate action to improve the security of its systems and protect sensitive information.”

The breach is also likely to raise questions about the use of wiretaps in the U.S. court system, and whether the government is doing enough to protect sensitive information.

The use of wiretaps is a powerful tool in law enforcement, but it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for abuse, experts say.

“The use of wiretaps is a necessary tool in law enforcement, but it also requires strong safeguards to protect sensitive information,” said a former U.S. law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “This breach highlights the need for stronger protections and more transparency about the use of wiretaps.”

comments powered by Disqus