Inside what prompted FBI to urge iPhone and Android users to 'stop texting'
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The FBI pleaded with iPhone and Android users Tuesday to stop texting each other due to fears their messages could be hacked. The unprecedent move came after the agency found exchanges between the two brands leave messages vulnerable, suggesting that Americans should use encrypted apps like WhatsApp to prevent third parties from accessing conversations.
![[The campaign, known as Salt Typhoon, emerged earlier this year and officials say the groups have links to China]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/05/18/92840403-14161725-The_campaign_known_as_Salt_Typhoon_emerged_earlier_this_year_and-a-270_1733423438879.jpg)
The warning stemmed from the China-linked hacking campaign known as Salt Typhoon that has reportedly breached several US networks. Now, a US officials revealed that a 'large number' of Americans' cellphone data was stolen during the attacks. 'The extent and depth and breadth of Chinese hacking is absolutely mind-boggling - that we would permit as much as has happened in just the last year is terrifying,' Senator Richard Blumenth said during a classified briefing Wednesday.
Deputy National Security adviser Anne Neuberger noted he China-linked efforts have breached at least eight US telecom firms and dozens of nations since emerging earlier this year. Federal agencies have spent the last few months investigation the true scale of the Asian nation's operations, only to still come up empty handed.
White House officials said at least eight US telecommunication firms were attacked by a Chinese hacking campaign. The statement comes as the FBI warned iPhone and Android users not to text each other. Salt Typhoon previously targeted the phones of Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Vice President Kamala Harris.
