this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2025
68 points (98.6% liked)

Futurology

3255 readers
177 users here now

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

People used to hold up China as the prime example of Orwellian government monitoring of the citizenry. Now it looks like the US is giving them a run for their money. This spyware is for immigration officials, but how long before its use spreads? Tied to AI, it will be a powerful way to identify and monitor "enemies" of the government.

This software takes control of your phone, meaning its users can act as you. Don't like all those social media posts you made criticising XYZ. Fine, we'll delete them for you. If you think the government wouldn't go that far, I've a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

We used to speculate about a 100% surveillance future. It looks like it has arrived, and we're living in it.

Ice obtains access to Israeli-made spyware that can hack phones and encrypted apps

top 13 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] LodeMike@lemmy.today 29 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

that will allow it to read the contents of any citizen's cellphone, incl. everything on encrypted apps.

Far from true. The tool purchased attempts to break into seized phones.

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 hours ago

Does it just view software files to find those or are the just looking at you message app. Good luck dealing with Android system files. Goddamn mess...

[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 13 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (1 children)

Getting rid of spyware isn't that hard on a modern up-to-date android or iphone - reboot. The OSs are read-only so about the only place for the spyware to hide is in memory.

Source: A GrapheneOS developer https://youtu.be/WkQ_OCzuLNg around the 10 minute mark if memory serves.

Also, running something like Pegasus is very expensive. On the order of $100,000 usa per infection plus ongoing monitoring. No way the USA government can afford mass surveillance with high end spyware.

[–] DrFistington@lemmy.world 1 points 21 hours ago (3 children)

Unless people just decide to stop. Just get an old Nokia brick with t9 and voice capabilities. What would you really miss?

[–] ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 hours ago

Is that actually obtainable with service? I assume you mean the old ones.

[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 1 points 12 hours ago

Sure, that could be an option but its an option without any private communication ability.

[–] blargh513@sh.itjust.works 7 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

You're kidding right?

We are talking about the majority user base who would trade their own mother for a little convenience.

These are people who will pay $15 for a coffee to be delivered.

Hell, I'd be willing to bet most of the country would willingly install spyware on their phone if it came with a trivial reward. $5 gift card to an online game, a free milkshake, lame sticker pack for their messenger app.

[–] RodgeGrabTheCat@sh.itjust.works 3 points 12 hours ago

Absolutely, when it gets right down to it, Google is spyware that most people run in order to use free apps.

[–] TootSweet@lemmy.world 15 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

hack into any mobile phone

(Emphasas mine.)

Seems a bit hyperbolic.

[–] blargh513@sh.itjust.works 4 points 20 hours ago

There are only two types anymore. You think apple and google aren't going to do what they're told? Wasn't Tim cook just in DC giving the orange idiot a piece of literal gold?

Not far fetched at all.

Most people would have no idea if there were something like that on their phone already.

[–] salacious_coaster@infosec.pub 14 points 23 hours ago

Yes. Until everything comes crashing down, that is.

[–] bad_news@lemmy.billiam.net 5 points 22 hours ago

Cellular modems have been backdoored for the benefit of Israeli security firms and their authoritarian clients for over a decade now. Good opsec means limiting how much data is available on any phone you connect to the cellular network, that's just been the reality for years. I'd recommend a pager but Israel puts bombs in those...

[–] j4k3@piefed.world 3 points 23 hours ago

Not Graphene