Security News > 2023 > December > US senator: Govts spy on Apple, Google users via mobile notifications

A U.S. senator revealed today that government agencies worldwide demand mobile push notification records from Apple and Google users to spy on their customers.

Data collection through this method helps link devices to Apple or Google accounts and may also allow access to unencrypted notification content, including text displayed on the receiving smartphone.

"Apple and Google should be permitted to be transparent about the legal demands they receive, particularly from foreign governments, just as the companies regularly notify users about other types of government demands for data," Wyden said.

In response to the letter, Apple said that this provides an opportunity to disclose further information to the public concerning how government entities use data related to such notifications for surveillance purposes.

A Google spokesperson added that the company shares "The Senator's commitment to keeping users informed about these requests."

"We were the first major company to publish a public transparency report sharing the number and types of government requests for user data we receive, including the requests referred to by Senator Wyden," BleepingComputer was told.

News URL

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-senator-govts-spy-on-apple-google-users-via-mobile-notifications/