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.
China’s 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 center’s internal networks in 2023 and 2024.
The National Time Service Center, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is responsible for maintaining and broadcasting China’s standard time.
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The accusation comes amid escalating cyber tensions between the nations and renewed trade disputes over rare earth export controls and tariffs.
