Dec 4 (Reuters) - A "large number" of Americans'

metadata has been stolen in the cyberespionage campaign carried

out by a Chinese hacking group dubbed "Salt Typhoon," a senior

U.S. official told journalists on Wednesday.

In a call with reporters, the official declined to provide

specific numbers but said that China's access to America's

telecommunications networks was potentially broad and that there

was a risk of "ongoing compromise."

The official said the White House had made tackling the Salt

Typhoon hackers a priority for the federal government and that

President Joe Biden had been briefed several times on the

intrusions.