• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
Security, Social Media Networks

Twitter leaked country codes of their users’ phone numbers

Avatar for Fazeel Ashraf Fazeel Ashraf December 18, 2018

In another mega blunder, Twitter accidentally exposed a security flaw that allowed others to extract its users’ phone number country codes. This is extremely alarming. Many users want their location to remain hidden for obvious reasons. The flaw also lets others know whether a Twitter account is locked or not.

Then there are whistleblowers and political asylum seekers who don’t want their identity or location to be known to the world. The issue came to attention through Twitter’s support forms. Twitter noted that many requests came from China and Saudi Arabia, two of the most undemocratic countries; Oligarchies basically.

Twitter gave an official statement,

“While we cannot confirm intent or attribution for certain, it is possible that some of these IP addresses may have ties to state-sponsored actors.”

It’s unknown why Twitter thinks there might be some state-level espionage involved, but I’m sure they have their reasons to feel suspicious.

Something always sinister is going behind the scenes if countries like China and Saudi Arabia are involved. So I fear there might be something gruesome about to go down.

Twitter had started fixing the loophole on November 15th and managed to fix it the next day on 16th November. During that time nothing major occurred, and possible catastrophe was avoided.

We have become aware of an issue with one of our support forms which may have been used to discover the country code of certain people’s phone numbers and whether the account had been locked by Twitter. This issue did not expose full phone numbers or any other personal data.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) December 17, 2018

The company told TechCrunch that it had informed the European Union’s Data Protection Commissioner, as Europeans citizens may have been impacted. The leak did not violate any GDPR rules since country codes are not considered sensitive personal information.

Twitter has also informed the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) about the exposure. The tech company didn’t specify when it informed the FTC however. Twitter reassured that complete phone numbers were not exposed, so it’s not an utter disaster.

The company has previously been enmeshed with bitcoin scams taking over many popular accounts.

It directly reached out to affected users to inform them this news. Twitter did not add much besides this detail. Twitter gave a bold yet remarkably honest statement. The company said that nefarious deeds had existed since long before the company came into existence.

These deeds will keep occurring. Bad-faith actors will change their tactics and find new ways to screw the system. Twitter will continue battling such forces of evil. It will be partnering with civil society, government, industry peers, and researchers to improve their knowledge of how such actors interfere with justice and civility.

Insufficient security measures can put asylum seekers or political activists’ lives at stake. Twitter confirmed that it locks accounts on the grounds of suspicious behavior if they get hacked or violate “Twitter’s Rules.” These rules include “unlawful use.” This is a grey area since it is dependent on what a country considers illegal.

The most troubling part is that users with IP addresses belonging to China and Saudi Arabia will be able to confirm if accounts of certain users are locked. They will be able to track them down which will have so many consequences of its own.

Twitter needs to up its security by a mile. These are not just a matter of shares and profits anymore, the lives of actual people are on the line. It’s a war between governments and political activists, and Twitter is caught in the crossfire.

Related Tags: Data breach DataLeak Privacy Twitter User privacy

Related Stories

  • Whatsapp rolls out audio and video calling on desktop

    Whatsapp rolls out audio and video calling on desktop

  • Facebook gave far greater access to tech companies than it disclosed

    Facebook gave far greater access to tech companies than it disclosed

  • Google Shuts down Google+ due to massive data breach

    Google Shuts down Google+ due to massive data breach

Avatar for Fazeel Ashraf

Fazeel Ashraf

Former Author @TechEngage

IT graduate from the National University of Science and Technology with a passion for writing. When not reading or writing, I can be found listening to rock and metal or playing some classic jams on my electric guitar. I’m also a big fan of horror movies.

Reader Interactions

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • Everything Apple announced at its “Spring Loaded” event
  • Apple announces redesigned iMac with M1 chip in a striking color suit
  • Best sectional sofa/couch on Amazon for 2021
  • Facebook plans to bring Clubhouse-like features in its app
  • Best Bluetooth headphones on Amazon for 2021
A women holding a gift

Special anniversary gifts for a tech-savvy wife

Best FM, DAB, Radios

Best FM, HD Radio & DAB Radios 2021

Apple One service

How to get Apple One on your iOS device

how to save battery android

Complete Guide to Save Battery on Android (2021)

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) for gaming
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon
  • Best AM radios for long-distance reception

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version