US-China Cyber Attack / China Accuses US NSA of Cyberattack on National Time Service Center, Alleging Sensitive Data Theft

China has leveled serious accusations against the United States, claiming that the US. National Security Agency (NSA) conducted a cyberattack on its National Time Service Center. Beijing alleges that the NSA stole sensitive data and credentials, which could potentially disrupt critical national services such as communication networks, power supply, and financial systems. This serious charge is expected to further heighten the already escalating tensions between the two global powers. According to China's State Security Ministry, which shared details via its WeChat account,. The American NSA has been persistently targeting the National Time Service Center with cyberattacks. This center, a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is responsible for the generation, maintenance, and broadcasting of China's standard time. Its operational integrity is crucial for national infrastructure.

Sensitive Data Compromised

Reuters reported that the ministry provided evidence suggesting that in 2022, the US agency exploited a vulnerability in the messaging service of an unnamed phone brand, while this allowed them to steal data and credentials from devices used by employees of the National Time Service Center. The investigation also revealed that the US launched attacks on internal network systems and attempted to compromise high-precision ground-based timing systems in both 2023 and 2024. As of now, the US embassy has not issued any official response to these allegations. Over the past few years, a cycle of accusations and counter-accusations regarding cyberattacks has intensified between China and the United States, with both nations frequently identifying each other as major cyber threats. This latest allegation underscores growing concerns over global cybersecurity and geopolitical stability.