A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to user accounts

Re:A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to ... by everdev on Tuesday December 24, 2019 @05:09PM (#21875270)

> I expect a lot of people would say no to that and report the attempt to company security.

Turning someone is rarely an upfront request.

You make friends with them and make small talk about politics to see if there are any sympathies to your cause.

Ask for a small favor and see if they'll do it, then progress slowly. You only ask them to break the law once they're already on your side.

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Re:A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to ... by thelittleone on Tuesday December 24, 2019 @09:18PM (#21876280)

And if a little persuasion was needed, the folder with evidence of assets secrets that would turn their life upside down if revealed. Ideally real secrets, but these days made up ones are probably as effective.

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Re:A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to ... by catalogia on Wednesday December 25, 2019 @05:44AM (#21877985)

Motives for spying are varied: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motives_for_spying

> MICE: Money, Ideology, Compromise, and Ego or Extortion (depending on source)

> RASCLS: Reciprocation, Authority, Scarcity, Commitment and Consistency, Liking, and Social Proof.

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Re:A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to ... by bjornjaja on Tuesday December 24, 2019 @05:17PM (#21875314)

Social engineering at its finest.

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Re:A Twitter app bug was used to match 17M phone numbers to ... by huy-nguyen on Tuesday December 24, 2019 @07:36PM (#21875923)

Also common spy recruitment tactic.

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