Is my vintage phone spy-proof?

Feb 25, 2015

Menno van Doorn

I just acquired a beautiful 1998 Sony CM-DX1000 mobile phone. When I was reading the manual to my surprise it said that “eavesdropping on this phone is not possible because it’s digital”. You can spy on analog phones, but not on this digital one. I’m intrigued by the word “this” phone. They must have done something special.

Snowden was only 15 years old when Sony released its CM-DX1000. The sim-card that I’ve put in the phone could be coming from a company called Gemalto. They produce 2 billion sim-cards a year and are world’s largest SIM Card manufacturer. They make chips and next-generation credit cards.

Gemalto’s motto is “Security to be Free.”

Snowden provided secret documents that show that Gemalto was hacked by the U.S. National Security agency and the UK GCHQ. With the stolen encryption keys intelligence agencies can monitor mobile communications without seeking or receiving approval from telecom companies and foreign governments.

I re-read the manual: “eavesdropping on this phone is not possible”. I trust Sony and phone with my mother.

About the author

Menno van Doorn

Director and Trend Analyst VINT | Netherlands

Menno is Director of the Sogeti Research Institute for the Analysis of New Technology (VINT). He mixes personal life experiences with the findings of the 19 years of research done at the VINT Research Institute. Menno has co-authored many books on the impact of new technology on business and society.

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