Satellites are leaking private messages and sensitive military data

A recent study by researchers at UC San Diego and the University of Maryland has uncovered a significant security vulnerability in global satellite communications. The team found that approximately half of all geostationary satellite signals transmit sensitive data—including personal calls and texts, corporate information, and military communications—without any encryption. Using a relatively inexpensive setup costing under $800, the researchers intercepted thousands of private messages and data streams that were never intended for public access. Their findings highlight a widespread assumption within the satellite industry that no one would scrutinize or attempt to intercept these transmissions, a security approach the researchers describe as dangerously complacent. The study revealed that telecom companies often use satellites to connect remote cellular towers to their core networks, a process called backhaul, which frequently lacks encryption. This exposed unprotected data from major carriers such as T-Mobile, AT&T Mexico, and Telmex. More alarmingly, the researchers intercepted unencrypted communications from U.S. and Mexican military and law enforcement agencies, including sensitive information like ship identifiers