American and British spies have penetrated the internal computer network of the largest manufacturer of SIM cards in the world, stealing the keys used to protect the privacy of telephone communications in the world.
Breaking was carried out by a joint unit made up of agents of the NSA (National Security Agency in the United States) and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters UK), according to a top secret document provided the site The Intercept of Edward Snowden. Action, detailed in a document of 2010 of GCHQ, provides oversight agencies to monitor potential large parts of the world mobile communications, both voice and data.
The company targeted by intelligence agencies, Gemalto, is a multinational company implanted in the Netherlands, which makes chips used in mobile phones and the next generation of credit cards. Its customers include AT & T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and about 450 wireless network providers in the world. The company operates in 85 countries and has over 40 manufacturing plants. One of its three global headquarters is in Austin, Texas, and most factory is in Pennsylvania.
In total, Gemalto produces approximately two billion SIM cards per year.
With these cryptographic keys stolen intelligence agencies can monitor mobile communications without asking or obtain approval from telecommunications companies and foreign governments. Owning keys allows avoiding an interception warrant or without a trace in wireless network provider whose communications are intercepted. Cryptographic keys allow intelligence agencies to release any encrypted communications they intercepted before but did not have the ability to decrypt them.
Gemalto not know that its systems were penetrated and that its employees are spies. "I am troubled quite concerned that this happened," said Paul Beverly, executive vice president of Gemalto for The Intercept. "The most important for me is to understand exactly how was this possible so that we can take the necessary measures to ensure that this does not happen and to ensure that there is an impact on telephony operators I have served for many years with confidence, "he said.
"It's unbelievable. Unbelievable," said Gerard Schouw, the Dutch parliamentary opposition party D66, when he was informed about the activities of intelligence agencies. "We do not want secret services of other countries to do that," said Schouw. He added that he and other lawmakers will ask the Dutch government to give an official explanation and clarify whether the country's intelligence services were aware of the interception Gemalto, whose HQ is in Amsterdam.
Source: Mediafax
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