Sabrina Tavernisi

Basically, the way that the U.S. government phone taps people it thinks are spying for other countries.

Basically, the way that the U.S. government phone taps people it thinks are spying for other countries.

Wow. So the Chinese actually saw with this kind of, you know, see-through glasses they got in this hack who the U.S. suspected was a Chinese spy.

Wow. So the Chinese actually saw with this kind of, you know, see-through glasses they got in this hack who the U.S. suspected was a Chinese spy.

Interesting. But to what extent does it affect everyday Americans? Like, should I be worried about it?

Interesting. But to what extent does it affect everyday Americans? Like, should I be worried about it?

Interesting. So if I'm doing a WhatsApp call, then that is off limits because that's encrypted.

Interesting. So if I'm doing a WhatsApp call, then that is off limits because that's encrypted.

Exactly. It needed access to people's phones to be able to see what the conversations had been.

Exactly. It needed access to people's phones to be able to see what the conversations had been.

So how did China actually pull it off?

So how did China actually pull it off?

So basically, these hackers kind of tried every door, found one that was open, and then was never challenged once they got inside that door.

So basically, these hackers kind of tried every door, found one that was open, and then was never challenged once they got inside that door.

Okay, David, so you've explained how this hack was really the biggest anyone in Washington and you had ever seen. It compromised really vital stuff. I understand all that, but haven't the U.S. and China been spying on each other for a long time? Like, is there a reason for us to think that this is actually worse than those other times?

Okay, David, so you've explained how this hack was really the biggest anyone in Washington and you had ever seen. It compromised really vital stuff. I understand all that, but haven't the U.S. and China been spying on each other for a long time? Like, is there a reason for us to think that this is actually worse than those other times?

We'll be right back. So, David, how did we get to the point where China got so good at hacking?

We'll be right back. So, David, how did we get to the point where China got so good at hacking?

So where was China in terms of its ability in surveillance when he came in?

So where was China in terms of its ability in surveillance when he came in?