Chinese cyber-espionage group exploited telecom vulnerabilities; Viasat says no customer data was compromised.
Washington, June 24, 2025 – U.S. satellite communications provider Viasat Inc. has confirmed it was targeted by the China-linked “Salt Typhoon” cyber‑espionage group, which has previously breached major telecom firms like Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen .
According to Bloomberg-sourced reports, the breach occurred during the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Viasat detected unauthorized access via a compromised device, but investigations—including work with an independent cybersecurity firm and federal agencies—found no impact on customers, and Viasat believes the incident has been fully remediated (reuters.com).
Salt Typhoon has also reportedly infiltrated U.S. telcos’ internal systems, enabling activities such as geolocating individuals and intercepting calls from political figures on both sides of the aisle during the campaigns (reuters.com). China denies any government involvement, dismissing claims as “disinformation” .
Why it matters for NSS News:
- This incident underscores the growing cyber‑espionage threat against critical communications infrastructure.
- Viasat’s swift detection and resolution reflect improved industry vigilance.
- The broader Salt Typhoon campaign highlights significant national security concerns.
