“The US
National Security Agency (NSA) and its allies tried to hijack Google
and Samsung app stores via software vulnerabilities to launch a
massive data harvest campaign putting millions of users at risk, new
Snowden revelations show. The NSA, assisted by spy agencies of the
Five Eyes alliance, comprising Australia, Britain, Canada, New
Zealand and the United States, sought to implant spyware on
smartphones, distribute misinformation and gather user data as part
of the project dubbed IRRITANT HORN, a new secret document revealed.”
“Infected
app store servers were located all over the world, including Bahamas,
Cuba, France, Russia and Switzerland. The spy agencies exploited app
store vulnerabilities but failed to report them to IT-companies,
leaving millions of users exposed to government surveillance as well
as possible cyberattacks, including cyberfraud.”
“Apart
from Google and Samsung app stores, the agencies also planned to
gather data through flaws in UC Browser, used by over 500 million
people primarily in Asia. The top secret document, detailing
operation IRRITANT HORN, is part of the data leaked by former NSA
employee Edward Snowden, who exposed unlawful global surveillance in
June 2013 sparking international outrage.”
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