Tuesday, October 6, 2015

NSA Leaker Edward Snowden: 'Smartphones Can Be Taken Over'



BBC: Edward Snowden interview: 'Smartphones can be taken over'

Smartphone users can do "very little" to stop security services getting "total control" over their devices, US whistleblower Edward Snowden has said.

The former intelligence contractor told the BBC's Panorama that UK intelligence agency GCHQ had the power to hack into phones without their owners' knowledge.

Mr Snowden said GCHQ could gain access to a handset by sending it an encrypted text message and use it for such things as taking pictures and listening in.

The UK government declined to comment.

More News On NSA Leaker Edward Snowden's Recent Allegation That 'Smartphones Can Be Taken Over'

Edward Snowden claims British spooks are spying on YOUR phone and can even switch it on and off remotely as part of a training programme codenamed ‘Smurfs’ -- Daily Mail
Edward Snowden: Smartphones can be hacked into with just one text message and then used to spy on their owners -- The Independent
Edward Snowden: Smartphone users can do 'very little' to stop security services getting control of devices -- Independent
Edward Snowden reveals how Government can hack into YOUR smartphone and see EVERYTHING -- Express
Smartphones Can be Hacked With Just 1 Text, Says Edward Snowden -- AFP
Snowden: GCHQ Can Secretly Take 'Total Control' Over Your Smartphone -- Sputnik
Edward Snowden: No smartphone is safe from GCHQ spying -- V3
Spies can turn mobile phones on and off, claims Edward Snowden -- BT
Homesick Snowden lays out new allegations against GCHQ -- Deutsche Welle
Edward Snowden says UK spies can send 'Smurfs' to hack into your phone and gain 'total control' over it -- Business Insider

2 comments:

Bob Huntley said...

If that is the case what is to stop an entrapment force from sending a message from a cell phone to a terrorist organization and then confronting the owner of the phone which charges of aiding and abetting terrorists?

B.Poster said...

Bob,

"Entrapment" is illegal and a person cannot be convicted in this case. As such, the powers that be cannot do this. If they tried it, the media would howl with rage against the prosecution. Furthermore, if the case is high profile, every top defense attorney in the US would beat themselves up, beat their spouses up, and even their kids up if necessary for the opportunity to defend the accused if nothing else for the publicity it would bring them.

There is a far greater threat of terrorists not being prosecuted or getting off because the prosecution cannot meet the burden of proof to get a conviction than there is someone being falsely arrested or falsely convicted.

It could happen though. For someone to be falsely arrested and/or falsely convicted on terrorist charges is like the reverse of winning he lottery. No consolation for the person this might happen to though.