Secretary of State John Kerry says it's 'very likely' Russia and China read his emails

Not even Secretary of State John Kerry can keep prying eyes away from his private messages, apparently. In an interview Tuesday on CBS, Kerry told Evening News anchor Scott Pelley that he basically assumes Russia and China are reading his emails. "It is very likely," he said. "It is not outside the realm of possibility, and we know they have attacked a number of American interests over the course of the last few days."
Kerry says that the U.S. government is well aware of the potential for cyber security breaches, despite the fact that they spend billions of dollars annually to beef up security against such attacks. Given that, Kerry says he plays it safe when he sends an email and that he "certainly writes things with that awareness."
Just this week, NBC News reported that the Chinese government has likely been reading the emails of top U.S. officials since "at least" April 2010. Meanwhile, Russia is believed to have launched a 'sophisticated cyberattack' on the Pentagon's Joint Staff unclassified email system just last month.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans