US Telecoms Breached: Chinese Hackers Spy on Calls, Texts

Chinese state-sponsored hackers, operating under the guise of Salt Typhoon, have executed a significant cyberespionage campaign, compromising virtually all US telecommunications infrastructure. This breach granted them access to real-time communications, including sensitive data from presidential candidates. Despite the severity, the US government has reportedly chosen not to impose sanctions on China, prioritizing trade relations over national security responses.

In parallel, privacy concerns are amplified by a smart toilet's questionable encryption practices. Kohler's Dekota device, advertised with end-to-end encryption, was found to only encrypt data from the device to its servers, exposing user data. This revelation led Kohler to remove its misleading encryption claims from product descriptions.

Adding to the cybersecurity turmoil, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) remains without a director as the nominee, Sean Plankey, faces significant opposition in the Senate. Various demands from senators, ranging from contract disputes to disaster relief funding, have stalled his confirmation, leaving a critical agency in limbo.