HACKERS may have breached the FBI’s wiretap network via a supply chain, according to Malwarebytes’ reporting. On 17 February the FBI flagged irregular network activity that led to its Digital Collection System Network, which stores sensitive data related to court-authorised wiretaps, pen registers and FISA warrants. Investigators say the breach path was through a vendor’s internet service provider, a side door via the supply chain rather than a direct assault on FBI systems.
The Wall Street Journal reports that US investigators suspect hackers affiliated with the Chinese government were behind the breach. The piece notes that this pattern—attacks on government targets via third parties—is not unprecedented, pointing to Salt Typhoon’s actions against AT&T and Verizon in 2024 and other prior intrusions into federal systems.
Lawmakers are calling for action as officials say the FBI has identified and addressed the suspicious activity, but little detail has been released about the incident.