silfraDec 4, 2024
Zack Whittaker

I can't tell you what an incredible headline this is, given the decades(!) of pressure by the U.S. government advocating for technological backdoors, and all it had to take was China breaching some of America's biggest phone networks to get here.

"U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid unprecedented cyberattack." — @kevincollier

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/us-officials-urge-americans-use-encrypted-apps-cyberattack-rcna182694

U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid cyberattack

Amid an unprecedented cyberattack on telecommunications companies such as AT&T and Verizon, U.S. officials have recommended that Americans use encrypted messaging apps to ensure their communications stay hidden from foreign hackers.

NBC News
Dec 3, 2024 at 11:31pmWeb
Show threadADec 3, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier what is an encrypted app exactly? Are they saying my text messaging app and my phone calls are at risk and an end to end encrypted app is required in place of those things? What about my banking app, email etc. I'm not in the US.
Show threadEthan ClarkDec 4, 2024
@Moodre @zackwhittaker @kevincollier Basically: with unencrypted communication, the people responsible for getting your data from point A to point B can read it, or even modify it. E2E encryption encodes the data during transport so it’s effectively jibberish to everyone but the sender/receiver.
Show threadLisa SkyDec 4, 2024
@Moodre text messages are about as secure as standing on the street and shouting. An exaggeration, but only slightly. Signal etc are encrypted. Email and your banking app should be encrypted. Hopefully. You can check their details, keep them updated.
Show threadDaniel AJ SokolovDec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier I dunno. The NSA always had two different wings. One for security, one for undermining it.
Show threadJohn BreenDec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier Cats discover that raccoons are also using the pet door at back-of-house, urge its closure.
Show threadA Lloyd FlanaganDec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker Ah, fond memories of the Clipper Chip wars during the Clinton administration.
Show threadLisa SkyDec 4, 2024

@zackwhittaker @kevincollier

Positive step!
Now if people didn't have tiktok on their devices...

Show threadkaiaDec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker
the US can safely advise people to use encrypted apps having compulsory legally enforced backdoors in all of these.
Show threadLstn2urmama 🇨🇦Dec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier This has been happening for many years now and Canada was asked to keep one of the people for court cases about 5G along time ago...I think Trump released her ...back to China 🤔
Show threadAjay11Dec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker why do you feel so
Show threadAbel MSDec 4, 2024
🤦🏻
Show thread散歩慧素Dec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker
Hooray I can now use encrypted a...wait I was already using encrypted apps.
Show threadcarbon offsets are BS ☕️🥬Dec 4, 2024

@zackwhittaker @kevincollier

Me to the fam: “NOW can we finally get you all set up on Signal??”

Show threadhazelnot Dec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier Can China please also do this in every EU country so they don't ban encryption here pls
Show threadthoughtcrimeDec 4, 2024
@zackwhittaker @kevincollier
It is perfectly possible for them "to predict when the telecommunications companies would be fully safe from interlopers" because the answer is certainly: Never.
Thanks for posting this article.
Show threadKevin Karhan Dec 6, 2024

@zackwhittaker @kevincollier

Remember:

The only way we can prevent a #Cyberfacist #dystopia is to make it impossible!