SEA ISLAND, Ga. — The director of the National Security Agency said Sunday that a Chinese hack of three major telecommunications firms is under investigation but that it remains “premature” to discuss the case. Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh said his command would work closely with other government agencies and private companies “to really understand what has happened.” “I think it’s premature for us to talk about this specific case.
Telecommunications firms have a legal obligation to allow federal authorities to have access to electronic information if there is a court order for the eavesdropping. If China penetrated the wiretapping system, it would be a serious security breach. AT&T and Lumen declined to comment. Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday night. The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday night.