China has accused the United States of stealing secrets and infiltrating its National Time Service Center in what it described as a serious breach capable of disrupting communications, financial systems, power grids, and international timekeeping.
Chinas State Security Ministry claimed on Sunday that the U.S. National Security Agency NSA conducted a prolonged cyber operation against the time center, stealing data and credentials dating back to 2022.
According to the ministry, the NSA exploited a vulnerability in the messaging service of an unnamed foreign smartphone brand to spy on staff devices. It also accused the U.S. of attacking the centers internal networks in 2023 and 2024.
