FBI Urges Encrypted Messaging Amid Rising Cyber Threats

Federal officials have warned of a significant Chinese hacking operation targeting American telecommunications companies, emphasizing the importance of using encryption to protect communications. Apps like Signal and WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring messages and calls remain private even from the app providers. While iMessage and Google Messages also provide encryption, it is not always end-to-end, especially when communicating across different platforms. The FBI's investigation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, revealed that Chinese hackers accessed phone records and text messages, particularly in Washington, D.C., though China denies these allegations.