Flaw in old mobile phone encryption code could be used for snooping

By Matthew Sparkes

An algorithm from the 1990s used to encrypt cell phone information was intentionally weakened to permit eavesdropping, claims a workforce of cryptanalysts. It’s potential the flaw may nonetheless enable entry to some telephones in use at this time.

“It’s a pleasant weak spot, from a technical perspective. But it surely’s nonetheless not good to construct it. In all probability many individuals had been concerned,” says Christof Beierle at Ruhr College Bochum in Germany, a part of the workforce …