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Russians Order Mobile Phone Encryption Removed

Posted by simoniker on from the static-still-encrypts-messages dept.

PenguinRadio writes "The Moscow Times is reporting that Russian security officers (The FSB, formerly the KGB) ordered all mobile phone providers to switch off their encryption systems for 24 hours, so the police could eavesdrop on all calls. An alert, either an exclamation point or an unlocked padlock, was sent to the phones in question. This is the second time such an order was given - the last time was after the hostage crisis involving Chechnya fighters in a Moscow theater. At least the Russian has the courtesy to warn all their phone users that this was going on. Not sure what the standard FBI procedure is on something like this..."

5 of 302 comments (clear)

  1. Standard FBI procedure is.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    to deny, deny, deny.

  2. The official FBI policy... by bc90021 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...is probably to have every undercover agent in Russia drop what they're doing and man some listening devices. ;)

    --
    libertarianswag.com
  3. Re:In Soviet Russia by Dr+Reducto · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is the one time when I think Soviet Russia jokes are on topic.

  4. In Soviet Russia.... by Dynedain · · Score: 5, Funny

    a) cell phone encryption turns on you! (how appropriate)

    b) cell phone encryption turns you on! (only on /.)

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    I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
  5. Polite KGB by retto · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope Ashcroft doesn't get any ideas from this. We may wind up getting little text alerts on our cell phones when the Bill Of Rights is, and is not, in affect.

    Civil Rights On....Civil Rights Off...Civil Rights On...Civil Rights Off...