A recent report from the China Cybersecurity Industry Alliance (CCIA) has sent shockwaves through the tech community by alleging that U.S. intelligence agencies are behind a long-term campaign of cyber espionage targeting mobile devices across the globe. According to the 11-chapter document, sophisticated technical exploits have been used to infiltrate smartphones, communication networks, and essential components of tech supply chains.
The report details how vulnerabilities in hardware components such as SIM cards and firmware—as well as in software systems like iOS and Android—were exploited. It further claims that everyday technologies ranging from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to GPS have been manipulated to access sensitive data. One of the more striking allegations concerns Apple's iMessage service, which is said to have been weaponized for "zero-click" attacks. These exploits reportedly allow malware to be installed on a device simply by delivering a message, without any user interaction.
Drawing on research from the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the document asserts that such methods have enabled operatives to harvest personal information including contacts, locations, and device identifiers from both high-profile individuals and ordinary mobile users. The report also points to the alleged deployment of commercial spyware, like Israel's Pegasus, tools that have previously been linked to surveillance in various nations.
In an additional twist, the report highlights an operation labeled "Operation Irritant Horn," a U.S.-led initiative supported by a surveillance unit from the Five Eyes alliance. This operation is said to target Chinese mobile apps, extracting data from data centers and even from a popular Chinese mobile browser that transmitted phone numbers, SIM details, and device IDs to remote servers.
At a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned these alleged activities, warning that such cyber operations not only endanger national sovereignty but also pose a significant threat to global cybersecurity. Guo urged the international community to abandon unilateral cyber hegemony and to strengthen multilateral cooperation on data security, highlighting the importance of adopting heightened defensive measures in an era of ever-evolving digital threats.
As mobile technology continues to transform our daily lives, the allegations in this report add fuel to an ongoing global debate about cybersecurity and privacy. For tech enthusiasts, business professionals, and global citizens eager for fresh perspectives, these revelations underscore the critical need for improved digital defenses and international collaboration.
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Chinese report accuses U.S. intelligence of global mobile surveillance
cgtn.com
