Cybersecurity Expert Issues Stark Warning to Smartphone Users
In recent years, the public has become increasingly astute regarding cybersecurity threats that loomed over all Americans. Yet, a prominent hacker has unfurled a disconcerting proclamation to both iPhone and Android aficionados—one that many may find unexpected.
At the center of one of the most significant cybersecurity breaches in contemporary U.S. history is Edward Snowden. In 2013, he divulged a staggering 1.5 to 1.7 million highly sensitive documents during his tenure with the National Security Agency (NSA).
Snowden’s impetus for orchestrating this monumental leak was to illuminate the clandestine operations of the U.S. government, which was illicitly amassing data from its citizens’ mobile devices. This invasive conduct was not isolated to the U.S.; it extended to some of America’s closest allies, including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Since his revelations, Snowden has sought asylum in Russia, remaining under the specter of potential prosecution by the U.S. government. Despite discussions surrounding a possible pardon from former President Donald Trump, the looming threat has not quelled his resolve to alert the public to the perils inherent in today’s technological milieu.
In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan podcast, Snowden articulated how governmental entities can perpetuate surveillance through mobile phones, elucidating the specific vulnerabilities faced by Android and iPhone users.
“Both Apple and Android devices, regrettably, are not particularly adept at safeguarding your privacy,” Snowden stated, disclosing the disconcerting reality that users have minimal recourse to obscuring their activities.
“Every phone, even when powered off, isn’t truly idle. It emits a constant signal—’here I am.’ Authorities can access comprehensive data about you. They possess the capability to manipulate your device at will,” he elaborated.
This alarming assertion resonates with recent revelations from a former CIA operative-turned-whistleblower, who disclosed that intelligence agencies can remotely activate microphones on nearly any gadget, as well as commandeer vehicles and various devices.
Snowden has cautioned that everything you do on your phone is under scrutiny, raising concerns in an era dominated by mobile technology.
A particular concern for Snowden, as articulated during the interview, is the drastic transformation that has unfolded since he exposed the notorious NSA documents. He posited that society has now undeniably become “mobile first.”
While mobile devices were prevalent in 2013, their role in our lives has since intensified. Today, these handheld gadgets govern multifaceted aspects of existence, encompassing social media interactions, financial transactions, and much more.
Given this context, the susceptibility of smartphones to external manipulation ought to invoke both fear and concern in users. Unfortunately, aside from severing ties with the digital realm, options for safeguarding against such threats remain markedly limited.
Source link: Uniladtech.com.
