Mobile-app errors expose data on 180 million phones: security firm

FILE PHOTO: A banner for communications software provider Twilio Inc., hangs on the facade of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to celebrate the company's IPO in New York City, U.S., June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - D1BETLOVETAA

A simple coding error in at least 685 apps put millions of smartphone users at risk of having some of their calls and text messages intercepted by hackers, cybersecurity firm Appthority warned on Nov 9. 

Developers mistakenly coded credentials for accessing text messaging, calling and other services provided by Twilio Inc, said Appthority's director of security research, Seth Hardy. Hackers could access those credentials by reviewing the code in the apps, then gain access to data sent over those services, he said.