Cyber Spies and Time Theft: China Points Finger at the U. S.

China's Allegations:

• Claims U.S. NSA used sneaky cyber tools to break into the National Time Service Center.
• Exploited weaknesses in a foreign phone brand's messaging services to steal data from staff in 2022.
• 42 different types of "special cyberattack weapons" used from 2023 to 2024.
• Targeted internal systems and attempted to hack a key timing system.

Significance of the National Time Service Center:

• Keeps China's official time.
• Provides timing services to critical industries:
• Communications
• Finance
• Power
• Transport
• Defense

China's Response:

• Claims to have proof but did not share details.
• Accused the U.S. of hypocrisy, stating the U.S. should look at its own actions.
• Provided security advice to the center to fix vulnerabilities.

Broader Context:

• Escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
• Ongoing issues include trade, technology, and Taiwan.
• U.S. Embassy did not comment immediately.