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Are you sure? I thought GSM was encrypted by definition. I know it's been used as a NATO backup communications channel. Once the signal hits the base station, t
by tormeh 12y ago
Are you sure? I thought GSM was encrypted by definition. I know it's been used as a NATO backup communications channel. Once the signal hits the base station, though, it's usually sent unencrypted down the wire.
- maxerickson 12y agoThe tower can (unilaterally, probably without any notification on the handset) select "A5/0" as the encryption algorithm. That's no encryption.
- tormeh 12y agoOh, ok, news to me, but it sounds plausible. .... But, uh, why would the government require that, when they can just listen to the signal after it's been unencrypted at the base station?
- TheLoneWolfling 12y agoSo that not even the people at the cell phone base station know just how absurdly much data they are pulling in.
- keenerd 12y agoIndia uses A5/0: http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/gsm-india-26616.html http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/gsm-india-26616.html Blackberry threatened with suspension because of encryption: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/blackberry-india/5732 http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/blackberry-india/5732 (I guess not all GSM is done in the clear since you can use encryption but must share your keys.)