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Mobile Devices Banned From UK Cabinet Meetings Over Surveillance Fears

Posted by timothy on from the they-are-listening dept.

MightyMartian writes "British securities services fear foreign intelligence agencies have developed the ability to turn mobile devices such as phones and tablets into bugs without the owner's knowledge, allowing them to eavesdrop on confidential meetings. According to the article, UK security services fear China, Russia and Pakistan have figured out a way to turn mobiles into microphones, and have them transmit even when they're off. Ministers in sensitive government departments have been issued with soundproof lead-lined boxes, which they must place their mobiles in when having sensitive conversations."

5 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Those evil Pakistwanians. by queazocotal · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Scowge of Dewocracies.

  2. Funny thing about backdoors by MacDork · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Funny thing about backdoors, they can be used against you. The FBI have had this capability for years. Just google for "roving bug." What could possibly go wrong? Other people who aren't supposed to be using it have figured out how to exploit it? Do tell.

  3. Worried about the wrong country? by maroberts · · Score: 5, Informative

    . According to the article, UK security services fear China, Russia and Pakistway have figured out a way to turn mobiles into microphones, and have them transmit even when they're off.

    I'd be more worried about the likelihood the NSA is listening in after recent revelations

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon

  4. It's Okay When We Do It by SerenelyHotPest · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Per this, I feel comfortable saying cry me a river.

    The outrage over foreign spying--in particular Chinese backdoors--on the part of the American intelligence community is really a form of the same thing: it's okay when we do it, but as soon as anyone else does the same thing to us, it's a gross affront to our privacy and the relationship we have with the spying party and possibly an act of war. I realize intelligence agencies are trained to think this way, but is it really so terribly difficult to grasp that if you don't want it done to yourself, it's probably a sign you shouldn't be doing it to others?

  5. Fixed that for you by rainer_d · · Score: 5, Insightful

    According to the article, UK security services fear China, Russia and Pakistway have also figured out a way to turn mobiles into microphones...

    --
    Windows 2000 - from the guys who brought us edlin