Edward Snowden claims that the NSA and GCHQ managed to breach the networks of Gemalto, the world's largest SIM card manufacturer. The hack gained access to the cards' encryption keys.
The hack, as we mentioned above, was carried out by a team from the NSA and GCHQ. Information about the attack is revealed in a 2010 GCHQ document.
Gemalto makes SIM cards for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and many others. In total, it makes cards for about 450 telecommunications providers around the world.
According to Edward Snowden 's leaks , stolen encryption keys allow the intelligence community to monitor mobile communications without permission from phone companies. They also bypass the need for a warrant and eavesdrop without leaving a trace that can be detected by wireless providers.
Gemalto, for its part, states that it was unaware of the hack until its publication by the Intercept.
“I am very upset and concerned about what has happened,” said Paul Beverly, executive vice president of Gemalto. “What I want you to understand is what kind of impact this will have on any of our customers.”
