Protect iPhone, Android text messages following FBI warning [Video]

Encryption scrambles texts into unreadable code, keeping hackers from reading them. Without it, messages in plain text are vulnerable to spying.

On Dec. 4, U.S. intelligence officials and the FBI announced a hacking campaign affecting at least eight U.S. telecommunication firms, including Verizon and AT&T.

In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with domestic and international partners, issued guidance for telecommunication companies to strengthen their security. Recommendations include implementing measures like end-to-end encryption to safeguard both company and customer data.

Several news outlets reported that officials are advising against sending unencrypted text messages in the aftermath of the hack, so bad actors can’t read them.

VERIFY readers Barbara and Joseph asked us if Chinese hackers can actually read people’s text messages. Here’s what we can VERIFY about protecting your text message privacy.