WASHINGTON: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to both iPhone and Android users, advising them to avoid sending unencrypted text messages due to rising cybersecurity threats. This alert coincides with new proposed regulations and increased efforts by U.S. authorities to promote secure communication practices.
In its statement, the FBI highlighted growing concerns over cyberattacks, particularly targeting U.S. networks. While Apple’s recent adoption of Rich Communication Services (RCS) was expected to enhance secure messaging, a significant issue persists. Messages exchanged between Android and iPhone users are not fully encrypted, although communications between devices of the same platform remain secure.
This development comes amid mounting fears of cyber threats, including large-scale attacks by hackers. Investigations have revealed that the frequency and severity of these cyberattacks may be greater than previously known. As a result, both the FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are urging Americans to use encrypted messaging services and secure phone calls when possible.
The alert follows reports of cyberattacks linked to the hacking group Salt Typhoon, which has raised alarms about vulnerabilities in the U.S.’s critical communication infrastructure. The lack of end-to-end encryption in standard text messaging presents a risk that communications could be intercepted by malicious actors.
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Major tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Meta, have been pushing for stronger encrypted messaging solutions in response to these vulnerabilities. The FBI, in its ongoing investigation into foreign cyber espionage operations, has uncovered a widespread campaign targeting telecom infrastructure, allegedly orchestrated by hackers with ties to China. This investigation, which began earlier this year, has revealed compromised networks in multiple telecom companies.
An FBI official stated, “In investigations of this scale and significance, the facts will develop over time,” acknowledging the evolving nature of the inquiry into these cyber threats. The ongoing investigation underscores the growing urgency for secure communication solutions as cyberattacks continue to pose a major risk to national security.
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