**China’s Been Hacking British Government Phones for Years**
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According to a recent report from the Telegraph, China has been hacking into British government phones for years, compromising senior members of the government and exposing their private communications to Beijing. This spying operation, known as Salt Typhoon, is understood to have targeted the phones of some of the closest aides to Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak between 2021 and 2024.
### **UK Government Compromised**
The UK government has been aware of the threat of Chinese spying, with MI5 issuing an “espionage alert” to Parliament in November. However, despite this, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is still planning to visit China this week to secure trade and investment ties with Beijing.
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The spying operation is understood to have compromised senior members of the government, exposing their private communications to Beijing.
The Telegraph
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### **US Intelligence Involvement**
The US tipped off the British government to the Salt Typhoon operation, which is believed to be an ongoing effort by Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The US has been working to disrupt the operation, but it is unclear how much damage has already been done.
### **Implications for UK-China Relations**
The revelation of Chinese hacking into UK government phones has significant implications for UK-China relations. The UK government has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with some arguing that it has been too soft on China.
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Read more about the Salt Typhoon operation
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### **Conclusion**
The hacking of British government phones by China is a serious concern that has significant implications for UK-China relations. The UK government must take steps to protect its communications and ensure that it is not compromised by foreign actors.
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Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #SaltTyphoon
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