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Today's Topics:
1. Researchers snooped on unencrypted satellite data with basic
equipment, finding private calls, text messages, and even
military communications (Antony Barry)
2. ACCAN: 'ACMA rejects ?deficient' protections code ? for now'
(Roger Clarke)
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2025 15:44:45 +1100
From: Antony Barry <[email protected]>
To: Link list <[email protected]>
Subject: [LINK] Researchers snooped on unencrypted satellite data with
basic equipment, finding private calls, text messages, and even
military communications
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Maryland conducted a study
demonstrating that it is possible to intercept a wide range of unencrypted
satellite data?including private phone calls, text messages, data from
in-flight Wi-Fi, utility infrastructure, and even military and law enforcement
communications?using inexpensive, readily available equipment. The team used a
standard satellite dish, commercially available electronics, and open-source
software to receive and decode these signals from geostationary satellites.
Key findings include:
The researchers could pick up unencrypted calls and text messages from the
T-Mobile network, as well as sensitive information from US and Mexican
military, law enforcement, and utility providers.
They accessed this data passively, meaning they only received what was
broadcast, rather than actively hacking into transmissions.
Even with their limited setup, they managed to intercept data from about 15% of
satellites overhead, suggesting the problem could be much more widespread.
Some affected organizations, such as T-Mobile, implemented encryption after
being notified of the issue, but others continue to transmit sensitive data
without protection.
The researchers hope their work highlights the urgent need for satellite
communications to adopt proper security protocols, as the risks are significant
given how easily these signals can be intercepted with common equipment.pcgamer
<https://www.pcgamer.com/software/security/they-just-really-didnt-think-anyone-would-look-up-researchers-snooped-on-unencrypted-satellite-data-with-basic-equipment-finding-private-calls-text-messages-and-even-military-communications/>?
The study underscores that many satellite operators previously relied on
obscurity?assuming few would attempt to intercept their signals?as their
primary means of security, which is no longer tenable.
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/security/they-just-really-didnt-think-anyone-would-look-up-researchers-snooped-on-unencrypted-satellite-data-with-basic-equipment-finding-private-calls-text-messages-and-even-military-communications/
Antony Barry
[email protected]
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:50:40 +1100
From: Roger Clarke <[email protected]>
To: link <[email protected]>
Subject: [LINK] ACCAN: 'ACMA rejects ?deficient' protections code ?
for now'
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
ACMA rejects ?deficient' protections code ? for now
Message from the CEO of ACCAN
24 October 2025
https://www.accan.org.au/accan-s-media-releases/acma-rejects-deficient-protections-code-for-now
In major news this morning, sector regulator the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that it is
rejecting the draft Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code
and instead providing the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA)
with a minimum 30-day response period to address weaknesses in the Code.
Simply put, this is an excellent step forward for Australian
communications consumers, who have for too long had ?protections?
provided through a self-regulated Code which has abjectly failed to
provide appropriate community safeguards.
ACCAN has led the Fair Call Coalition since March 2025, when it became
apparent that the draft Code developed by the ATA, after many rounds of
feedback, would fail to meet appropriate community safeguards. We joined
22 other consumer groups who have backed this call which has been
championed by the Consumer Action Law Centre.
In a statement this morning, I said that this decision opens the door to
advancing stronger consumer protections through direct regulation by the
ACMA or the Minister for Communications, once industry has had the
opportunity to respond to notice of deficiency. We and the Fair Call
Coalition will have more to say on this matter in coming days and weeks.
Also this week, Australians learned that tens of thousands of people may
be unable to reach Triple Zero if their mobile network goes down. The
issue is linked to a ?camp-on? fault affecting customers that use older
Samsung devices, which fail to connect to the TPG network to access
Triple Zero when it is the only available network. While some pre-2021
Samsung phones will need to be updated to the latest software, some
older devices must be replaced.
As I told 10 News, ABC News Breakfast and ABC Radio, and ABC consumer
affairs reporter Michael Atkin, who has been providing excellent
coverage of this evolving story, we need a systemic, technical and
independent review of the Triple Zero ecosystem.
ACCAN is keen to stress that consumers who have been contacted by their
provider about updating or replacing their phone, should act immediately
to ensure they can reach Triple Zero in an emergency. Financial help is
available - ask your telco about hardship and payment assistance options.
ACCAN has also released a position paper on the renewal of expiring
spectrum licences. Spectrum is a valuable public asset, and its
allocation must deliver benefits to the public. We are calling for
competitive auctions, or at minimum, legally binding commitments from
telcos to pass any renewal discounts on to consumers through lower
prices or new investment. Without such commitments, discounted spectrum
risks providing industry windfall profits at the expense of taxpayers.
You can hear more about this issue at ACCAN?s upcoming Spectrum
Management Forum on 7 November.
I?ll also be joining the International Institute of Communications for a
panel event on 11 November about the new Scams Prevention Framework. I
hope to see many of you there as we continue to work to reduce the
impact of scams in our communities.
This week is Get Online Week, an important reminder that digital skills
are essential for everyone. Whether it?s learning how to spot scams,
manage data, or use online services safely, these skills help ensure no
one is left behind in our connected world.
Finally, a note of thanks to all members who joined us on Wednesday for
ACCAN?s Annual General Meeting. I look forward to working with three new
Directors, Amber Marshall, Ron Ben-David and Tess Matthews. I am
delighted that Vince Humpries and Delia Rickard have been re-appointed
as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively.
Read on for more consumer news and views.
Carol Bennett
CEO
--
Roger Clarke mailto:[email protected]
T: +61 2 6288 6916 http://www.xamax.com.au http://www.rogerclarke.com
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
Visiting Professorial Fellow UNSW Law & Justice
Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University
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