FBI investigates hacking of its eavesdropping and surveillance systems: report

Hackers are said to have broken into FBI networks.

CNN reported Thursday, citing an anonymous source, that the hack affected a system used to manage wiretaps and foreign intelligence surveillance orders.

“The FBI identified and responded to suspicious activity on FBI networks, and we leveraged all technical capabilities to respond,” the bureau told CNN.

The FBI did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

This would be the latest major hack of US government agencies and US companies in recent times. Last year, Chinese hackers breached the US Treasury Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the security of the US nuclear stockpile. All the while, Russian hackers stole sealed records from the US court filing system. Elon Musk’s Department of Defense also took control of Americans’ personal data, challenging long-standing security practices and violating federal protocols, despite a senator warning that Musk poses national security risks.

Meanwhile, Chinese government hacking group Salt Typhoon has broken into at least 200 American companies, according to the FBI. Among the companies confirmed to have been hacked were telecommunications companies AT&T and Verizon, as well as Lumen, Charter Communications, and Windstream.