(Corrects name to “Kecheng” in third paragraph)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday imposed sanctions on alleged hacker Yin Kecheng and Sichuan cybersecurity firm Juxinhe Network Technology Co., accusing both of being involved in a series of hacks against U.S. telecommunications companies.
The intrusions, known as Salt Typhoon, allegedly exposed a trove of US call logs to Chinese spies and alarmed the US intelligence community. In some cases, the hackers allegedly intercepted conversations, including conversations between prominent US politicians and government officials. Some lawmakers have called it the worst telecommunications hack in US history.
In a statement, the Treasury Department described Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. as a hacking company with strong ties to China's Ministry of State Security, an intelligence agency. She said Yin Qicheng was based in Shanghai, had worked as a hacker for more than a decade, and also had ties to the MSS. It further claimed that it was linked to the recent hack at the US Treasury.
Reuters was not immediately able to reach Yin Kecheng or Sichuan Guoxin. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beijing routinely denies responsibility for cyber espionage campaigns.
