FBI and CISA Urge Americans to Stop Sending Unencrypted Texts Amid Rising Cybersecurity Threats

As concerns over cybersecurity grow, the FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are issuing new warnings to iPhone and Android users: stop sending unencrypted texts. This warning comes amid rising fears of Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. networks, which have reportedly escalated to a scale much larger than initially believed.

The issue centers around the lack of encryption when sending text messages between different platforms. While messaging within the same ecosystem—iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android—offers some degree of security, cross-platform communication remains vulnerable. This is a major concern for privacy, particularly as hackers have increasingly targeted communications systems in recent months.

In response, the FBI and CISA are encouraging Americans to use fully encrypted communication services, such as encrypted messaging apps and phone calls, wherever possible. This shift in recommendations aligns with broader efforts to enhance digital security amidst ongoing cyber threats.

The warning comes just as Apple’s adoption of RCS (Rich Communication Services), which was seen as a potential replacement for traditional SMS, had created hope for more secure messaging between different devices. However, without full encryption, even RCS falls short of the security needs outlined by experts.

With Chinese cyberattacks continuing to target U.S. systems, the FBI emphasizes the importance of using encrypted communications to protect against potential espionage and data theft. The cybersecurity agencies’ warning serves as a reminder for users to take proactive steps in safeguarding their digital communications in an increasingly hostile cyber environment.