Ahead of Trump’s UNGA address, Secret Service ‘dismantles imminent telecommunications threat’ in New York
According to a statement by the agency, agents uncovered more than 300 SIM card servers and roughly 100,000 SIM cards at multiple locations within a 35-mile radius of New York City.
New Delhi,September 23, 2025 07:39 PM IST
First published on: Sep 23, 2025 at 07:33 PM IST
Share
Comments
Print
Share
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
(X/@SecretService)
The US Secret Service on Tuesday announced that federal agents have dismantled a network of devices in the New York area capable of crippling telecom systems and conducting anonymous telephonic attacks. The discovery comes as world leaders converge in the city for the UN General Assembly.
According to a statement by the agency, agents uncovered more than 300 SIM card servers and roughly 100,000 SIM cards at multiple locations within a 35-mile radius of New York City. The devices, officials said, could facilitate a wide range of attacks, including disabling cell towers, enabling denial-of-service attacks, and allowing encrypted anonymous communications between potential threat actors and criminal networks.
The Secret Service dismantled a network of more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards in the New York-area that were capable of crippling telecom systems and carrying out anonymous telephonic attacks, disrupting the threat before world leaders arrived for the UN General… pic.twitter.com/sZKUeGqvGY
Sean Curran, Director of the US Secret Service, highlighted the seriousness of the threat, stating, “The potential for disruption to America’s telecommunications by this network of devices cannot be overstated.”
Story continues below this ad
The agency did not provide details about potential suspects or the exact locations where the devices were found, citing security concerns.
“It can’t be understated what this system is capable of doing,” Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s New York field office said, The Guardian reported. “It can take down cell towers, so then no longer can people communicate, right? … You can’t text message, you can’t use your cellphone. And if you coupled that with some sort of other event associated with [the UN general assembly], you know, use your imagination there – it could be catastrophic to the city.”
The Secret Services action follows a series of microphone failures at the United Nations on Monday, which disrupted high-profile speeches by world leaders, including Turkey’s President, Canada’s Prime Minister, and Indonesia’s President, drawing attention during a sensitive debate on the Gaza genocide and Palestinian statehood.
Share
(X/@SecretService) 
