WASHINGTON — A federal inquiry into the Chinese government’s activities has uncovered a large-scale cyber espionage initiative aimed at infiltrating U.S. telecommunications networks, according to a statement from the FBI. This operation focuses on acquiring sensitive information from Americans involved in government and political roles.

Reportedly, hackers connected to Beijing have successfully breached several telecom companies, allowing them to access customer call logs and delve into the private exchanges of a select group of individuals. This revelation came from a joint announcement made by the FBI alongside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The targeted individuals, whose identities remain undisclosed, primarily participate in government or political activities.

Additionally, the hackers attempted to retrieve specific information related to U.S. law enforcement activities under court orders. This raises concerns that they could be trying to undermine programs monitored by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which provides U.S. intelligence agencies with extensive authority to examine the communications of individuals suspected of acting on behalf of foreign entities.

This alarming development follows a series of notable hacking incidents attributed to China. U.S. officials assert that these actions are part of an ongoing strategy to pilfer technological advancements and government data, while also aiming at critical infrastructure sectors, including the electrical grid.

In September, the FBI revealed it had dismantled a significant Chinese cyber operation named Flax Typhoon. This campaign involved the deployment of malware on over 200,000 consumer devices, such as cameras, video recorders, and home routers. The compromised devices formed a vast network of infected machines acting as a botnet, which could be utilized for various cyber criminal activities.

Last month, reports indicated that Chinese-linked hackers attempted to breach the mobile devices of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as well as individuals associated with the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. However, it remains unclear how these recent operations relate to prior hacking campaigns.

In their latest notice, the FBI and CISA asserted that they are collaborating with the telecommunication sector and individuals affected by the hacking incidents to bolster defenses against ongoing cyber threats. “We anticipate that our comprehension of these breaches will expand as the investigation progresses,” the agencies stated.

The Chinese government has denied accusations from U.S. officials regarding its involvement in cyber espionage targeting American individuals. A request for comment sent to China’s embassy in Washington has yet to be addressed.