“Serious Security Flaw”: Mobile Networks Reveal Sensitive Data During Calls

Mobile networks can reveal more about callers’ devices than users may expect. A new report found that, in some cases, networks could capture both a phone’s unique IMEI identifier and details about its operating-system version.

The finding adds to a long list of security weaknesses identified over the years in mobile standards and in the way individual providers implement them. Many of those standards date back decades and remain highly complex.

The report also points to the importance of precise technical rules. Mobile security depends not only on the technology itself, but on how providers apply the standards governing it. Domestic providers have largely played down the latest concern.