Report reveals NSA can access most smartphones

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The National Security Agency’s (NSA) ability to hack into most leading smartphones, including iOs and Android systems, has been revealed in a Sunday report by news outlet “Der Spiegel.”

The internal documents expose the NSA's ability to gather contacts, call lists, SMS traffic, notes and even users' past and present location.

Each operating system allegedly has a dedicated hacking team, which we assume is for the purposes of gathering saved data in an efficient manner. However, iPhone users were apparently most prone to being hacked as a mini-program called “scripts” can gain access to dozens of vulnerable iOs features.

The findings do not come as a revelation, considering that we revealed US$52 billion dollars had been set aside for intelligence programs in the latest budget.

Der Spiegel says the phone tapping is not a mass surveillance tactic and claims only certain individuals of interest are targeted. It is not clear how the magazine obtained the documents, which haven't surfaced until now. However, there is speculation that American filmmaker and Der Spiegal author Laura Poitras may have obtained the information through whistleblower Edward Snowden.

At this stage, information about the number of phones that can be monitored is unclear. Until then, we certainly hope that the number is nowhere near the extent of the internet surveillance capabilities.

Posted:
Related Forum: Mobile Devices

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/report-reveals-nsa-can-access-most-smartphones

Comments

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AlbericiPosted:

F*** The NSA! They should screw off most Americas dont do nothing wrong but yet they watch us.

ImpossibilityPosted:

they will eventually hack into them all

MethylaminePosted:

Snipp
FullestBoss They said "most". So which ones can't be hacked?


Probably Blackberries.

Nokias duhh
202020202020202020

Dr-JPosted:

lel What happened to freedom? Just because I have nothing to hide does NOT mean I don't have rights to my privacy.


Why have freedom when we have the NSA protecting us *sarcasm*

gmlukensPosted:

This doesnt even surprise me anymore

neboPosted:

What happened to freedom? Just because I have nothing to hide does NOT mean I don't have rights to my privacy.

LichPosted:

This is against our rights.

Glock-Posted:

The best thing you can do is have a disposable phone. Buy a couple and use them only when you need too. When you are done with it dump it in a garbage can or river. Always move around when you use it.

-U.S. Army SPC Justin.

MCXBLA_ZombiePosted:

Trac Phones are the best phones you could have.

GossipPosted:

Well I guess I have to delete some pictures then...