Apple, Samsung and Microsoft react to WikiLeaks' CIA dump

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Apple, Samsung and Microsoft react to WikiLeaks' CIA dump

 

 

APPLE, MICROSOFT AND SAMSUNG have responded to the revelations that the CIA has compromised their products.

 

Wikileaks on Tuesday published 8,761 documents dubbed 'Year Zero', the first part in a series of leaks on the agency that Wikileaks has dubbed 'Vault 7'.

 

The whistleblowing foundation claims the document dump reveals full details of the CIA's 'global covert hacking program', including 'weaponised exploits' used against operating systems including Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and "even Samsung TVs, which are turned into cover microphones".

 

The documents claim that CIA's Mobile Devices Branch has created multiple tools for hacking both Android and iOS smartphones, enabling it to remotely acquire location data, audio and text communications, and to switch on the phones' camera and microphones at will.

 

While Google has yet to comment, Apple has released a statement and claims it has already fixed many of the vulnerabilities exploited by the CIA.

 

"The technology built into today's iPhone represents the best data security available to consumers, and we're constantly working to keep it that way," a spokesperson told the BBC. 

 

"Our products and software are designed to quickly get security updates into the hands of our customers, with nearly 80 per cent of users running the latest version of our operating system.

 

"While our initial analysis indicates that many of the issues leaked today were already patched in the latest iOS, we will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities.

 

"We always urge customers to download the latest iOS to make sure they have the most recent security update."

 

Microsoft's Windows OS is also named also a target, with Wikileaks noting, "The CIA also runs a very substantial effort to infect and control Microsoft Windows users with its malware." 

 

In response, Microsoft said vaguely that it is "are aware of the report in question" and "urgently looking into the matter." 

 

Linux has also fallen victim to the CIA's shady hacking tactics, according to the leak, but the Linux Foundation has yet to comment. 

 

Perpahs one of Wikileaks' most shocking revelations was that the CIA is also targeting Samsung smart TVs using a surveillance technique dubbed 'Weeping Angel', which was reportedly created in partnership with the UK's MI5. 

 

This tool allegedly allows government agencies to place Samsung TVs into "fake-off mode", that allows conversations to be recorded even when the television appears to be switched off.

Samsung has responded and, like Microsoft, said it is urgently looking into it. 

 

"Protecting consumers' privacy and the security of our devices is a top priority at Samsung," a spokesperson said. "We are aware of the report in question and are urgently looking into the matter."

 

Naturally, human rights watchdog Privacy International has been quick to comment on the revelations.

 

"If today's leaks are authenticated, they demonstrate what we've long been warning about government hacking powers - that they can be extremely intrusive, have enormous security implications, and are not sufficiently regulated," a spokesperson told the INQUIRER.

 

"Insufficient security protections in the growing amount of devices connected to the internet or so-called "smart" devices, such as Samsung Smart TVs, only compound the problem, giving governments easier access to our private lives. If the CIA knew of security weaknesses in the devices many of us use - from "smart" phones to "smart" TVs - they should have been working with companies to fix the vulnerabilities, not exploit them.

 

"Privacy International continues to fight for transparency and accountability around government hacking and sharing powers, as well as improvements in the security of our networks and devices. 

 

"Without such, we increasingly face a world where we are vulnerable in ways most of us cannot imagine, and our governments contribute to the problem as often as they try to fix it." the inquirer

 

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