FCC Reverses Cybersecurity Mandates for U.S. Telecom Carriers
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rescinded a January 2025 ruling that required U.S. telecom carriers to implement stricter cybersecurity measures following the Salt Typhoon breach. The original ruling mandated cybersecurity risk-management plans, annual certifications, and legal obligations for network security. The FCC's reversal follows lobbying from telecom firms, which argued the rules were overly burdensome. The move has drawn criticism, as it comes despite ongoing threats from state-sponsored actors targeting telecommunications networks. The Salt Typhoon attacks, disclosed in October 2024, compromised multiple carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, potentially intercepting sensitive communications, including those of government officials.
Timeline
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21.11.2025 18:01 1 articles · 23h ago
FCC Rescinds Cybersecurity Mandates for Telecom Carriers
In January 2025, the FCC required telecom carriers to implement stricter cybersecurity measures following the Salt Typhoon breach. The ruling was rescinded in November 2025 after lobbying from telecom firms, despite ongoing threats from state-sponsored actors. Critics argue the reversal leaves telecommunications networks vulnerable.
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- FCC rolls back cybersecurity rules for telcos, despite state-hacking risks — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 21.11.2025 18:01
Information Snippets
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The FCC's January 2025 ruling required telecom carriers to create and implement cybersecurity risk-management plans and submit annual certifications.
First reported: 21.11.2025 18:011 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FCC rolls back cybersecurity rules for telcos, despite state-hacking risks — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 21.11.2025 18:01
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The ruling was rescinded following lobbying from telecom firms, which found the framework cumbersome and taxing.
First reported: 21.11.2025 18:011 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FCC rolls back cybersecurity rules for telcos, despite state-hacking risks — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 21.11.2025 18:01
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The Salt Typhoon attacks, linked to Chinese espionage, impacted several major U.S. telecom companies and accessed core systems used for court-authorized wiretapping.
First reported: 21.11.2025 18:011 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FCC rolls back cybersecurity rules for telcos, despite state-hacking risks — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 21.11.2025 18:01
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FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez criticized the reversal, stating it leaves Americans less protected and that similar attacks are ongoing.
First reported: 21.11.2025 18:011 source, 1 articleShow sources
- FCC rolls back cybersecurity rules for telcos, despite state-hacking risks — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 21.11.2025 18:01