If the findings are accurate, a troubling circumstance has escalated.
A troubling disclosure has emerged in a recent report by mobile threat prevention company iVerify, revealing major weaknesses in the worldwide mobile communication framework. The document details how legacy and unencrypted network protocols utilized by numerous Chinese state-run mobile interconnect providers are allowing cybercriminals to intercept and manipulate mobile data during international transmission. The consequences could be extensive, potentially impacting billions of users globally.
To fully appreciate the seriousness of the issue, it’s crucial to comprehend the role of mobile interconnect providers. These organizations serve as digital conduits between various mobile carriers, facilitating communication among users on distinct networks or in different nations. For instance, when a Verizon customer in the U.S. sends a text to someone on AT&T in France, that message must navigate through one or more interconnect providers to arrive successfully.
These providers employ intricate routing mechanisms and signaling protocols to oversee this data traffic. Nevertheless, many leading providers — such as China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, CITIC Telecom, and PCCW Global Hong Kong — depend on outdated protocols such as SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) and Diameter. These protocols were never created with contemporary cybersecurity challenges in consideration and are widely recognized as susceptible to interception and manipulation.
SS7 and Diameter are signaling protocols that facilitate the routing of calls and messages across networks. Regrettably, they are deficient in strong encryption and authentication measures, making them ideal targets for exploitation. Hackers who infiltrate these frameworks can:
These risks are not merely hypothetical. Numerous real-world incidents have showcased how SS7 has been leveraged to surveil individuals, exfiltrate information, and even intercept financial transactions. The iVerify report indicates that these vulnerabilities are currently being exploited — not solely by independent hackers, but possibly by state-sponsored entities.
This situation is particularly unsettling because the interconnect providers implicated are state-owned enterprises from China. While the report does not definitively establish direct involvement from the Chinese government, it raises significant alarm regarding the possibility of state-endorsed surveillance. Considering the magnitude of these providers — which process a considerable share of global mobile traffic — the threat extends beyond Chinese citizens or companies. Anyone whose data traverses these pathways could be at risk.
Although the U.S. has implemented measures to address this threat by prohibiting Chinese interconnect providers under the Secure Networks Act, international communications remain exposed. For example, if you’re in contact with someone in South Korea, the Bahamas, or even New Zealand, your data may still be transmitted through these compromised networks.
Even though typical users may not seem like high-value targets, the vast amount of data being gathered and stored indicates that anyone could become a target down the line. Here are several practical actions you can undertake to safeguard your information:
This situation underscores a larger dilemma in global telecommunications: the dependence on outdated technology and the absence of universal cybersecurity standards.
