The recent breach by the Chinese cyber-espionage group “Salt Typhoon” underscores a dire need for secure smartphone practices. This incident revealed that attackers accessed audio and text communications from high-profile individuals, including former President Trump, Sen. JD Vance, and staff for Vice President Harris, by exploiting lawful access systems in U.S. telecom infrastructure. This breach, part of a larger operation targeting telecom networks, exposes millions of Americans to potential surveillance by foreign entities.

Today, privacy is more than just a personal concern—it’s a fundamental right and an essential part of a healthy democracy. A recent report titled Total Information Awareness: The High Costs of Post-9/11 U.S. Mass Surveillance reveals the deepening entanglement of technology, government surveillance, and the erosion of civil liberties in the United States since 9/11. It brings to light how the government’s vast surveillance machinery, initially justified as a response to terrorism, has expanded to track and monitor nearly all aspects of public life.