T-Mobile may have been hacked in recent attacks from China [Updated]

[Updated to include T-Mobile’s response]

In recent months, US telecommunications infrastructures have reportedly been targeted by attackers from China. Recently, the FBI confirmed an incident involving carriers such as AT&T and Verizon. A new report suggests that a group from China may have also hacked T-Mobile’s network.

T-Mobile’s infrastructure was also hacked by groups from China, report claims

According to The Wall Street Journal, T-Mobile is aware of the situation and is “closely monitoring this industry-wide attack.” However, the mobile carrier asserts that there was no compromise of company or user data.

The report does not include more specific details about the date of the alleged attacks. Authorities also link the hackers to Chinese intelligence groups. The hacking campaign, which reportedly lasted for months, aimed at high-value intelligence targets. It is currently unknown whether the FBI believes the attackers managed to obtain any data.

T-Mobile’s full official statement regarding the matter reads as follows:

T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack. Due to our security controls, network structure and diligent monitoring and response we have seen no significant impacts to T-Mobile systems or data. We have no evidence of access or exfiltration of any customer or other sensitive information as other companies may have experienced. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities.

Multiple US carriers have been targeted by attacks from China in recent months

The FBI appears to be quite active in what appears to be an organized hacking campaign from China targeting major US mobile carriers. In October, the agency confirmed an attack on AT&T and Verizon that may have affected “thousands” of Americans. This attack, which was reportedly carried out over an eight-month period, targeted campaign staff members of the latest presidential candidates.

That said, the impact could have reached thousands of people. The FBI believes the hackers had access to data on all those who communicated with the campaign staff through the compromised routers. The compromised data includes call and SMS logs. It is possible that this attack is related to that of T-Mobile, since there are multiple coincidences. However, there is nothing confirmed yet in this regard.

This week, the FBI and CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) confirmed another incident. This time, the goal of the hack was to obtain surveillance data from US law enforcement agencies.