News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by notjulianjaynes on Saturday April 10, 2021 @11:39PM (#26767304)
Issa Asad, the CEO of this company, murdered his groundskeeper over $65 in 2014. He killed Michael Kramer by running over him with his Mercedes. [1]

For this he paid a $225 fine and was sentenced to 1 year probation. [2]

Here is evidence of what was certainly an astroturfing campaign to cover this up: https://www.reddit.com/r/HITsWorthTurkingFor/comments/2ot7h3...

[1] https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-davie-man-charged-folo-...

[2] https://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/07/22/girlfriend-of-groundsk...

Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by MattGaiser on Saturday April 10, 2021 @07:21PM (#26766203)
I suspect this was deliberate. Customer service is expensive and this seems very low margin. When I worked in banking, password issues were 1/4 of call centre volume.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by 29083011397778 on Saturday April 10, 2021 @07:37PM (#26766313)
If nothing else, it was deliberately ignored. The customer contacted support last year via email, then in February, and again in April. Then we get to reviews (left by different users) for both the iOS and Android apps, stating this is a problem. Fortunately, the devs commented on the feedback! They replied with "Thank you so much for your suggestion, [name], feedback from users like you help us!"

Note none of this is implies they're working on it, just that they acknowledge the issue; which, to me, is absolutely incredible.

Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by MattGaiser on Saturday April 10, 2021 @07:39PM (#26766325)
They are nobody's choice of provider. They are the provider you use if you are poor or cheap. That means they don't need to compete, including on security.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by MomoXenosaga on Saturday April 10, 2021 @08:41PM (#26766633)
Companies know how much they are fined if they get caught. Its just an easy calculation for them if compliance is worth it.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by maddyboo on Saturday April 10, 2021 @08:19PM (#26766544)
If they didn’t want to use passwords to avoid support calls, they could have sent one-time login codes to the phone number or email address associated with the account. Or literally anything other than neglecting security altogether.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by hippira on Saturday April 10, 2021 @09:58PM (#26766933)
They could use OTP - OT Login Links to log users in, no call center required.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by unobatbayar on Sunday April 11, 2021 @01:17AM (#26767650)
I like OTP. But I fear when I change phone number or leave country, the next owner could literally login to any of my online accounts using OTP on my previous number. That's why I always remove it from every account when I update, but can't keep track of all my accounts or emails.
Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by e-clinton on Sunday April 11, 2021 @09:30AM (#26770229)
Don’t give up your main number. 10 years ago I changed phone numbers and ported my old one to a super cheap SIP line. 3 years later I grabbed it back and it’s been that’s my main number since.

I use SMS OTP for a lot of services which would have little consequence if hacked.. and leave things like email and other sensitive stuff to the apps generating tokens.

Re:No password required: Mobile carrier exposes data for mil... by unobatbayar on Monday April 12, 2021 @03:22AM (#26776793)
That's true. My UK number seems to be completely fine after many years, even if I don't top it up. But some other country, after few months of inactivity they seem to be automatically sold to a new user.