In this piece Business Editor ONU OKORIE writes that blowing the whistle against evil act of phone hackers is a crucial step in protecting individuals and organizations from cyber threats. Excerpts:
Phone hacking is a serious issue that has been around for years. It involves unauthorized access to someone’s phone, usually for the purpose of obtaining sensitive information. Phone hackers can use a variety of methods to gain access to a phone, including phishing, malware, and social engineering. Once hackers have access to one’s phone, they can steal personal information, financial data, and even control the phone remotely.
There is no doubt that phone hacking scandal is a global issue that has affected many people, including celebrities, politicians, and members of the British royal family.
Phone hacking controversy came into limelight in 2005 when investigations showed that employees of the now-defunct News of the World newspaper were engaging in phone hacking, police bribery, and exercising improper influence in the pursuit of stories.
The scandal expanded in 2011 when it was revealed that the phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, relatives of deceased British soldiers, and victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings had also been hacked
The scandal led to a small number of victims of phone hacking engaging solicitors and making civil claims for invasion of privacy, with News International settling court cases with victims of phone hacking for over £2 million by March 2010.
The phone hacking scandal has not been limited to the United Kingdom. In 2021, a global media investigation found that spyware was used to track unsuspecting jozurnalists, activists, and others worldwide
The scandal has had global implications, with investigations assessing “the culture, practice and ethics of the phone hacking scandal”
The scandal has involved many newspapers, including News of the World, the Sun, and Mirror Group publications.
Journalists at these newspapers are said to have been accused of making payments to police and hacking into the phones of celebrities, lawmakers, royalty, murder victims, and other figures in the news.
According to an Information Security Analyst, Dr Francis Akogwu Alu, “phone hacking methods common in Nigeria include social engineering, malvertising, smishing, malware, pretexting, breaking in via Bluetooth, man-in-the-middle Wi-Fi, phishing, and offline cracking.”
Dr Alu added that social engineering is the easiest way for any hacker to break into any device, while phishing is among the most common password-stealing techniques currently in use today.
“Rooted in social engineering tactics, its success is predicated on being able to deceive a victim with seemingly legitimate information while acting on malicious intent. Offline cracking usually involves the process of decrypting passwords by using a list of hashes likely taken from a recent data breach” he said.
Dr Alu also said that blowing the whistle on phone hackers is an important step in stopping the illegal activities.
He explained that whistleblowers are individuals who report illegal or unethical behavior by their employers or colleagues, stressing that such people play a crucial role in exposing wrongdoing and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
According to him, their roles are crucial in that they expose phone hacking activities by disclosing information that they reasonably believe is evidence of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
Dr Alu however, warned that whistleblowers often face significant risks when they come forward, adding that they may face retaliation from their employers, colleagues, or even the government.
According to Dr Alu, “They may also face legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Therefore, it is important for whistleblowers to take steps to protect themselves and their information.
“Whistleblowers are routinely subject to harassment, job termination, arrest, and even physical attacks for exposing wrongdoing.
“In some cases, whistleblowers may need to go public with their information and participate in court proceedings, which may be a long and difficult process”.
However, Legal experts say that despite the risks, whistleblowers are protected by a network of laws, but the level of protection depends on what they disclose, to whom, and how.
Barrister Michael Anyafulukwe, a Human Rights Lawyer, who said he had worked extensively in the area of whistleblower protection noted that his job is mostly made easier when the whistleblowers protect themselves from retaliation by taking the few steps.
According to him , a whistleblower must first of all, know his or her rights adding that whistleblower laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in activities protected under those laws.
“As a whistleblower you must document everything, keep a record of all communications, including emails, memos, and conversations, related to the wrongdoing you are reporting.
“Report the wrongdoing to the appropriate authority and ensure you report the wrongdoing to the appropriate authority, such as a supervisor, human resources, or a government agency.
“When you feel you have been found out seek legal advice and consult with an attorney who specializes in whistleblower protection laws to understand your rights and options.
“And it is instructive to be prepared for retaliation because despite the protections offered by whistleblower laws, retaliation can still occur, so you have to be prepared for the possibility of retaliation and have a plan in place to protect yourself.
“Also as much as possible try to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of retaliation, such as negative performance reviews, demotions, or job terminations. If you believe you are being retaliated against, report it immediately to the appropriate authority” stated the Human Rights Lawyer.
Although, whistleblowing comes with its attendant risks more people have in the past engaged in the act exposing wrongdoing and promoting accountability in the society.
For instance, Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee leaked internal documents to the media and testified before Congress about the company’s harmful practices.
Haugen revealed that Facebook was aware of the negative effects of its products on children’s mental health and democracy, but chose to prioritize profits over safety.
Her testimony sparked public outrage and calls for regulation of social media companies.
Also, Marcel Reid blew the whistle on the misuse of public funds by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and helped to bring about reforms in the organization.
She later became a whistleblower liaison in major media and a member of the National Board of Directors of Pacifica Radio.
In the vein, William Sanjour was an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employee who exposed the Reagan Administration EPA scandals and advocated for public access to environmental information.
He challenged the rules restricting EPA workers’ right to speak out and won a landmark case against the agency.
Mrs. Adenike Alabi, a Professor of sociology, while providing some insights on the phone hacking and whistle blowing, said that whistleblowers play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour within organizations and society.
Professor Alabi noted that whistleblowers should be encouraged as they can help to create a culture of trust, respect, and innovation, and can prevent harm and encourage reform.
According to Alabi, whistleblowers can encourage ethical behavior within an organization by exposing illegal, unethical, or dangerous activities that can lead to a culture of transparency and accountability.
“The acts of whistleblowing, she says,
proomotes a healthy work environment: Whistleblowers can help to create a healthy work environment by exposing harassment, discrimination, or other forms of misconduct. This can lead to a culture of respect and inclusivity.
“Whistleblowers can help to build trust between employees and management by demonstrating that the organization takes ethical concerns seriously and is willing to address them.
“Whistleblowers can foster innovation by exposing inefficiencies or areas for improvement within an organization. This can lead to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Dr Alu also said that whistleblowing promotes transparency in government agencies and corporations by exposing illegal or unethical activities which can lead to increased public trust and accountability.
“It can also prevent harm to individuals or society by exposing dangerous or harmful practices which can lead to improved safety and well-being for all.
“Whistleblowers can encourage reform within organizations or government agencies by exposing systemic issues or failures. This can lead to changes in policies or practices that benefit society as a whole” Dr Alu stated.
In conclusion, Phone hacking is the act of gaining unauthorized access to someone’s phone, often to obtain sensitive information. The impacts of phone hacking can be severe, ranging from privacy violations to financial loss and reputational damage. Phone hacking can also be used as a tool for espionage, sabotage, and cyber warfare. Governments and private organizations across the globe are fighting phone hacking through various means, including legal action, cybersecurity measures, and public awareness campaigns. The gains of fighting phone hacking include protecting individuals’ privacy and security, safeguarding national interests, and promoting trust in digital technologies.
However, the effectiveness of these efforts is limited by the evolving nature of phone hacking techniques and the lack of international cooperation and legal frameworks
