China hacked Downing Street phones for years

China reportedly hacked the mobile phones of senior British officials in Downing Street from 2021 to 2024, compromising communications with potential implications for national security. The espionage, linked to a campaign called Salt Typhoon, affected aides of Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. Intelligence sources suggest that even if direct conversations were not intercepted, hackers could access metadata, revealing contacts and locations.

Sir Keir Starmer's upcoming visit to China has drawn criticism for potentially prioritizing trade over security. Concerns about Chinese espionage have been highlighted in a recent MI5 alert. The campaign is part of a broader trend of Chinese hacking affecting multiple nations, raising alarms about cybersecurity vulnerabilities.