Story perspectives

Researchers Expose Satellite Security Flaws, Uncover Sensitive Data

11/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Maryland found security flaws in satellite communications.
Using an $800 setup, they intercepted unencrypted data from government agencies, airlines, and military units.
The data included military coordinates and personal data from utility customers.
The study covered 15% of the global geostationary fleet.
T-Mobile encrypted its transmissions, and researchers plan to release an open-source decoding tool.

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Story summary

Researchers from UC San Diego and the University of Maryland found security flaws in satellite communications.
Using an $800 setup, they intercepted unencrypted data from government agencies, airlines, and military units.
The data included military coordinates and personal data from utility customers.
The study covered 15% of the global geostationary fleet.
T-Mobile encrypted its transmissions, and researchers plan to release an open-source decoding tool.