Cell-site simulators (CSS)—also known as IMSI Catchers and Stingrays—are a tool that law enforcement and governments use to track the location of phones, intercept or disrupt communications, spy on foreign governments, or even install malware. Cell-site simulators are also used by criminals to send...
  •  Hirom   ( @Hirom@beehaw.org ) 
    10•1 year ago

    Disabling 2G isn’t a practical solution outside the US. As the article noted 2G networks are still up and running in most countries 30+ years after being first commercialized, and even if 3G/4G/5G are available.

    It’s a good example as to why it’s a bad idea to weaken communication standards for legal/surveillance reason. Protocols remain in use for decades for comptability reasons, and it’s hard enough to build secure protocols without politicians actively trying to weaken them.