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Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

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Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#31
post #16

Every phone in Israel got a special message when missiles from Iran were fired. No application, no nothing, just by the virtue of being connected to to an Israeli phone cell tower (it worked even on imported phones) My understanding that it is a standard feature, this is how earthquake warning works in Japan. Point being there is no "hacking" involved. Standard feature

With all that being said, I'd consider that a gross misuse of emergency functionality.

A warning to take shelter from incoming missiles seems quite reasonable use of emergency broadcast systems to me.

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#32
post #16

Every phone in Israel got a special message when missiles from Iran were fired. No application, no nothing, just by the virtue of being connected to to an Israeli phone cell tower (it worked even on imported phones) My understanding that it is a standard feature, this is how earthquake warning works in Japan. Point being there is no "hacking" involved. Standard feature

Basically a modern version of leaflets.

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#34

How come the more I hear about what Israel or Israeli companies can do with our devices makes me just not want to use a device at all? Maybe my tinfoil hat is too tight? Why are they so bold with their abilities while other countries are not? Are they just that much better, or are other nation states just better at keeping quiet?

both

1. israel cyberarmy is just better

2. they dont need to hide it anymore (where US and china do it may gain unnecessary publicity)

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#36

How come the more I hear about what Israel or Israeli companies can do with our devices makes me just not want to use a device at all? Maybe my tinfoil hat is too tight? Why are they so bold with their abilities while other countries are not? Are they just that much better, or are other nation states just better at keeping quiet?

You probably took your security for granted? I'm being perfectly serious, RCEs like this are table-stakes for modern cyber-warfare.

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#37
post #24

I feel kind of weird that Netanyahu was allowed to give a speech from the UN HQ. It’s rather like allowing Putin to do so.

He's the head of state of a member country. Afaik, all member countries have a slot to give a speech at the general assembly. There's probably a slot for observer states and other acknowledged non-member states as well.

I don't see why Putin would be prohibited from making a speech in the time alloted for speeches either? He's the head of state of a member country as well. And it's one of the permanent members of the security council, so among equal peers, it's more equal. Russia's slot is currently listed as Saturday morning [1], I don't know who will speak.

[1] https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025/09/15/un-genera...

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#38

How come the more I hear about what Israel or Israeli companies can do with our devices makes me just not want to use a device at all? Maybe my tinfoil hat is too tight? Why are they so bold with their abilities while other countries are not? Are they just that much better, or are other nation states just better at keeping quiet?

[deleted]

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With all that being said, I'd consider that a gross misuse of emergency functionality.

A warning to take shelter from incoming missiles seems quite reasonable use of emergency broadcast systems to me.

[deleted]

Re: Israel took control of Gaza cellphones to stream PM Netanyahu's UN Speech live

#40

I'd like more details. Did they really hack the phones? Or use the towers to call the phones with a message. Hacking every cellphone sounds unrealistic. Making a call to every phone connected to a tower sounds plausible.

Or possibly they hacked (or stole credentials for) the switch/tower gear in order to send those calls/messages.

This is more along the lines of what I was suggesting
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