Story perspectives

Study Reveals Half of Satellite Signals Unencrypted, Exposing Data

10/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the University of Maryland found that about half of geostationary satellite signals are unencrypted, enabling eavesdropping on sensitive communications.
They used an $800 satellite receiver to capture private data, including Americans' calls, in-flight Wi-Fi, and military communications.
Following the study, many companies, including T-Mobile, have begun encrypting data, though some vulnerable infrastructure owners have not yet acted.

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Story summary

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the University of Maryland found that about half of geostationary satellite signals are unencrypted, enabling eavesdropping on sensitive communications.
They used an $800 satellite receiver to capture private data, including Americans' calls, in-flight Wi-Fi, and military communications.
Following the study, many companies, including T-Mobile, have begun encrypting data, though some vulnerable infrastructure owners have not yet acted.