The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a strong warning to smartphone users, urging them to avoid sending regular text messages between Android and iPhone devices. According to the FBI, such message exchanges are vulnerable to interception by hackers or third parties, potentially compromising sensitive information.
This warning comes amid growing concerns about a cyber espionage campaign allegedly conducted by a Chinese hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon.” The group is believed to have been targeting telecom networks in the U.S. for several years, stealing large volumes of data, including metadata such as call and message timestamps, as well as information on the recipients of communications. The Pentagon only became aware of the campaign earlier this year.
Reuters reports that the hacking group has been infiltrating telecom networks for the past three years, siphoning off crucial data from various services, including communications from high-profile individuals, such as celebrities using providers like Virgin. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has also issued a notification regarding the widespread nature of these espionage activities.
In light of these concerns, the FBI is advising users to switch to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp for sending text, photos, videos, and documents. These platforms use encryption to convert messages into unreadable formats, making it more difficult for third parties to monitor or intercept the content.
While Google has recently promoted its Messages app as offering strong encryption, this feature is not enabled by default, and users may experience issues with features like ‘read receipts’ if encryption is activated. Any disruptions in message synchronization could increase the risk of security breaches. It remains to be seen how Apple’s iMessage platform addresses these encryption concerns.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has denied these allegations, calling them false. In a statement, they accused the U.S. of spying on its own citizens in the name of national security, citing whistleblower Edward Snowden‘s 2013 revelations as evidence of American surveillance activities since 2012.
On December 4, 2024, Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology confirmed that the espionage campaign could have targeted at least 8 telecom brands and even more, if a conclusion could be drawn on the event.
