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.
this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2025
67 points (97.2% liked)
Futurology
3256 readers
137 users here now
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
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...
hack into any mobile phone
(Emphasas mine.)
Seems a bit hyperbolic.
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.
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.
Unless people just decide to stop. Just get an old Nokia brick with t9 and voice capabilities. What would you really miss?
Is that actually obtainable with service? I assume you mean the old ones.
Sure, that could be an option but its an option without any private communication ability.
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.
Absolutely, when it gets right down to it, Google is spyware that most people run in order to use free apps.
Yes. Until everything comes crashing down, that is.
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...
Not Graphene