Dutch SIM card maker investigating reported UK-US hack

A Dutch company that makes SIM cards for cellular phones says it is investigating reports that it was hacked by Britain's electronic spying agency in cooperation with the U.S. National Security Agency.

Amsterdam-based Gemalto, which describes itself as the world leader in digital security, said in a statement Friday it could not immediately confirm the reported hack and "had no that these agencies were conducting this operation."

A story posted Thursday on the website The Intercept, based on documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden, said the hack was aimed at stealing codes that would allow both the U.S. and British governments to seamlessly eavesdrop on mobile phones worldwide.

Gemalto says it "will devote all resources necessary to fully investigate" the reported hack.

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Citation: Dutch SIM card maker investigating reported UK-US hack (2015, February 20) retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2015-02-dutch-sim-card-maker-uk-us.html
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