John Kerry Admits He Writes Emails With the ‘Awareness’ of This ‘Very Likely’ Possibility

Secretary of State John Kerry said he writes emails with the knowledge that Chinese and Russian computer hackers are "very likely" reading them.

"It's very possible," Kerry said during a "CBS Evening News" interview Tuesday with anchor Scott Pelley, adding that he "certainly" pens emails "with that awareness."

Kerry said Chinese and Russian hackers, among others, have "consistently been engaged in cyberattacks against American interests, against the American government," and said President Barack Obama intends to "very, very strongly" address the subject when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.

Asked about the notion that the U.S. can't defend itself against cyberattacks, Kerry acknowledged that the digital landscape resembles the "Wild West" and that it's "complicated and fast-moving."

"Companies spend billions of dollars in order to protect themselves, the United States government does the same," Kerry said. "We are deeply involved in fighting back against this on a daily basis. It has huge consequences."

Sources said Russian hackers launched a “sophisticated cyberattack” against the unclassified email system of the Pentagon’s Joint Staff last month, and the Chinese government reportedly has been reading Obama administration emails since 2010.

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