FBI offers $10 million for intel on Chinese hacking group

In April 2025, the FBI announced a significant initiative aimed at combating cyber espionage emanating from China. The agency is specifically targeting the hacking group known as Salt Typhoon, which has reportedly been involved in infiltrating sensitive networks of multiple U.S. telecommunications companies. These intrusions included breaches affecting major companies like Verizon and AT&T as part of a broader campaign of cyber espionage that has reportedly been ongoing for up to two years. The announcement follows an escalated concern over the group's activities, which include attempting to gather sensitive information potentially applicable in future military conflicts. Salt Typhoon is believed to be affiliated with the Ministry of State Security in China and has operated under various aliases, such as FamousSparrow and Ghost Emperor. The FBI's decision to issue a bounty, announced on a dark web site and via established secure communication channels, is intended to offer incentives for tips from individuals, especially those in China, who may have information regarding the group's operations or its members. The announcement emphasized the need for public assistance in tracking down the individuals involved in these cyber attacks, describing a broad cyber campaign in which attackers leveraged access to target global victims. Researchers have indicated that the group's activities are part of a wider trend of cyber threats associated with Chinese hackers, marking a rise in state-sponsored hacking activities aimed at U.S. critical infrastructure. The FBI’s advisory calls for information not only about the group's activities but particularly about specific individuals within Salt Typhoon, highlighting the FBI's commitment to cracking down on foreign cyber threats. If successful, this initiative could lead to significant repercussions for the group's ongoing operations and enhance U.S. cybersecurity measures in combating foreign hacking threats. The issuance of such a high bounty highlights the increasing severity with which the U.S. government is taking the threat posed by foreign cyber espionage groups. It showcases an urgent need for collaboration between private and governmental sectors in aiming to resolve the ongoing cybersecurity issues exacerbated by entities like Salt Typhoon. This escalation in U.S. cyber defense policy represents a broader trend of adopting aggressive measures against emerging and persistent threats from foreign governments, indicating a strategic shift in managing national security in the digital age.