GSM Security Disabled in Russia

The Azerbaijani newspaper, Baku Today has reported that the encryption used in GSM handsets was deliberately disabled on Moscow's networks for 24 hours, at the request of the Communications Ministry. The Russian Interior Ministry needed to monitor cell phone communications for its investigation into the deadly suicide bombing at a rock concert in Moscow last week. Under the order, officials say the encoding system was disabled for 24 hours, beginning at 9 P.M. Moscow time on July 8th.

The paper cited Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov as saying that investigators have new information that will lead them to the organizer of the suicide bombings that killed 14 people at the concert at Tushino airfield."

Posted to the site on 11th July 2003