Ron Wyden Demands Release of 'Shocking' Report on Foreign Infiltration of US Telecoms

US Telecommunications Insecurity Report

• 💡 Senator Ron Wyden is urging the release of an unclassified report titled "US Telecommunications Insecurity 2022," which he states contains shocking details about national security threats.
• 📌 The report, which only a few have read, details threats to the US phone system that require immediate action.
• 🚫 Despite being marked "unclassified for official use only," copies have been refused to Congress and the public via FOIA requests.

Foreign Exploitation of US Phone Carriers

• ⚠️ Wyden wrote to President Biden in February 2024, highlighting foreign governments exploiting weak cybersecurity of US phone carriers.
• 🚨 The Biden administration has reportedly taken no action on this serious national security threat.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The AY's top telecommunications security expert filed a whistleblower report citing successful unauthorized attempts to access user location data, monitor voice/text messages, and deliver spyware.

Espionage and Cybersecurity Failures

• 🇨🇳 The AY's cover-up has enabled foreign hackers, specifically the Chinese government, to perpetrate espionage against the US.
• 📞 Chinese government hackers accessed sensitive call records and even co-opted systems designed for law enforcement wiretaps, targeting politicians and high-value individuals.
• 🔐 The espionage was a direct result of phone carriers failing to follow cybersecurity best practices like installing security updates and using multi-factor authentication.

Lack of Accountability and Future Threats

• 🏛️ Federal agencies have failed to hold these companies accountable, and the federal government still does not require minimum cybersecurity standards for US phone companies.
• 🎯 Wyden believes it's too late to prevent the Salt Typhoon hack but stresses the urgency to prevent the next horrendous incident.
• 📜 Wyden seeks immediate consideration of S2480, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publicly release the unclassified report.