The NSA allegedly stole encryption keys to unlock your private data. What are you going to do about it?

The NSA and its British counterpart, the Government Communications Headquarters, allegedly hacked into computers belonging to the largest SIM card manufacturer in the world.  Once inside, the agencies allegedly stole private encryption keys in order to unlock millions of peoples' private data.

The manufacturer, Gemalto, is responsible for producing over two billion SIM cards per year in 85 countries across 450 wireless network providers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.  So if you own a mobile phone, there's a high probability that spies are now monitoring your every move. 

CNET reports,

“The cards contain personal information, including your phone number, billing information, contacts and text messages, and are supposed to be protected by encryption keys to thwart hacking attempts.”

But if the encryption keys are stolen then anyone who has them can easily unlock the data.  It is no longer protected, which means the NSA and the GCHQ can intercept mobile communications globally without a warrant and without approval from telecom providers or foreign governments.

Gemalto was oblivious to the hack but launched an investigation as soon as it was alerted to the breach.  The company announced in a press release that,

"Initial conclusions already indicate that Gemalto SIM products (as well as banking cards, passports and other products and platforms) are secure and the Company doesn't expect to endure a significant financial prejudice."

The company is scheduled to hold a press conference in Paris on February 25 to discuss the results of a more in depth investigation and whether or not that statement proves true.  You can find it here.  

The Governor was right when he said the NSA would continue to monitor us no matter what.  Check out his uncensored remarks in the video below. 

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ora Media, LLC its affiliates, or its employees.

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