Chinese report accuses U.S. intelligence of global mobile surveillance

A report released by the China Cybersecurity Industry Alliance (CCIA) on Monday alleges that U.S. intelligence agencies have conducted unrestrained, long-term cyber espionage targeting mobile devices worldwide, compromising user privacy and national security through sophisticated technical exploits.

The 11-chapter document details vulnerabilities exploited across smartphones, communication networks and tech supply chains.

The report claims U.S. agencies leveraged vulnerabilities in hardware components like SIM cards and firmware, and software systems like iOS and Android, and data interfaces from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth to GPS to infiltrate devices.

Hacking targets smartphones and data centers

Notably, Apple's iMessage service – a communication platform unique to devices like iPhones and iPads – was allegedly weaponized to deliver "zero-click" exploits. These attacks require no user interaction, enabling malware installation simply by sending a message to a target device.

Citing research from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the CCIA asserts that such methods have allowed U.S. operatives to harvest sensitive data, including contacts, locations and device identifiers, from both high-profile individuals and ordinary citizens.

The report also highlights the alleged use of commercial spyware like Israel's Pegasus, previously linked to surveillance of political leaders in France, Pakistan and other nations.

U.S. operations reportedly extend from mobile phones to data centers. A U.S.-led initiative dubbed "Operation Irritant Horn," supported by the Five Eyes alliance's NTAT surveillance unit, allegedly targets Chinese apps to extract user data. For example, a popular Chinese mobile browser was found to transmit phone numbers, SIM details and device IDs to servers – a vulnerability exploited by U.S. agencies for "secondary data collection," according to the report.

China: U.S. hacking "a threat to global cybersecurity"

At a regular press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the alleged activities, saying the U.S. government has abused its dominance in information technology and supply chains to conduct malicious cyber operations against the global mobile industry.

These actions, Guo said, pose severe risks to cybersecurity and national sovereignty worldwide.

Guo urged the international community to address "unilateral cyber hegemony" and strengthen multilateral cooperation on data security. The CCIA report calls for enhanced scrutiny of U.S.-linked tech infrastructure and urges mobile users to adopt "heightened defensive measures."