An algorithm from the 1990s used to encrypt mobile phone data was deliberately weakened to permit eavesdropping, claims a team of cryptanalysts. It’s possible the flaw could still allow usage of some phones used today.
“It’s a good weakness, from a technical point of view. But it’s still bad to build it. Probably many persons were involved,” says Christof Beierle at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, the main team …