Across the earth, there are more than 400 undersea cables on the seafloor that carries almost all of the international internet traffic, according to reliable reports. The sensitivity of the data running through these cables is extremely high and there are concerns that China and Russia are actively intercepting information that includes banking transactions, military secrets and private technological information. In addition, the concerns are also that these cables are vulnerable to be cut which could disrupt the significant financial transactions and damages the US and the world economies.
According to experts, wiretapping undersea cables can be surveilled by nation-state actors who have the funds to do so and the yield is significant in terms of valuable information. Even some entities with less money could surveille the undersea cables and obtain information sellable to others on the open market. In addition, are vulnerable to destruction and instrusion. In February last year, Chinese vessels disrupted two undersea cables connected to Taiwan’s Matsu island. The residents lost internet connectivity.
Russian submarine activity near undersea cables has been confirmed. The Yantar, a Russian spy ship, carries mini-submersibles that can sever or tap them.
According to the economist, damage to undersea cables is disrupting internet access across Africa.
Huawei Marine, a Huawei subsidiary, is a major company in the undersea cable industry. It has built or repaired almost 25% of the world’s approximately 400 submarine cables. But American officials now are concerned that cables laid or serviced by the company may be accessed by the Chinese government.
Jeffrey Newman is a whistleblower lawyer and former reporter, whose firm represents whistleblowers in healthcare fraud cases under the False Claims Act (FCA) and also under the Securities and Exchange, FINCEN and CFTC whistleblower programs. He can be reached at Jeff@JeffNewmanLaw.com or at 617-823-3217
