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Secure Texting, Brian Thompson and South Korea

Secure Texting, Brian Thompson and South Korea

Plus: Keanu Reeves Was Once Tapped to Try Out for Baltimore Ravens?

Izz LaMagdeleine
December 07, 2024

SATURDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

A white person's hands hold a phone. Their thumbs hover above it.

Yes, FBI Announced Texting Between iPhone and Android Is Not Secure

On Dec. 3, the FBI, the NSA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released new guidelines for protecting communications infrastructure in the United States. The guidelines came in the wake of a large cyberattack against U.S. telecommunications companies that was linked to China, which the Chinese government denied.

In a news conference, CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Jeff Greene mentioned anyone with an iPhone or Android should stop sending text messages because they were not secure. The claim to stop sending text messages was mostly true. However, the FBI's definition of "text message" was significantly stricter than the general public's, meaning that not all messages sent on a phone applied. Snopes reporter Jack Izzo has the details.

Two posters say "JAIL" at the top. Below, a white person wearing a suit is identified as Neil Bush. Below, text says, "THe $500 billion bailout of the savings and loan industry will cost every child, woman and man over $2,000. These crimes were committed by the rich, for the rich and THEY SHOULD PAY."

Posts Purporting To Name US Presidents Before Biden Who Pardoned Family Members Aren't Entirely True

In defense of President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter Biden, several people on the internet cited examples of former presidents who'd pardoned family members.

Two people walk behind yellow police tape. One person stands to the side. The person on the right wears a jacket that says N.Y.P.D, POLICE CRIME SCENE UNIT.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's Killer May Have Left Message on Bullet Casings

The bullet casings read "deny," "defend," "delay" and "depose," according to anonymous police sources.

A line of military vehicles are shown on an empty street.

Photo Shows South Korea Under Martial Law?

On Dec. 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, which remained in effect for about six hours.

What We Know About 'Robert Thibodeau' Serial Killer Hoax on Facebook

The Facebook posts aimed to grab readers' attention to help the scam work.

Staff Pick

A white man's face is shown next to an image that claims KEANU REEVES WAS REPORTEDLY SO GOOD AT QUATERBACK WHILE SHOOTING THE MOVIE "THE REPLACEMENTS" THAT THE BALTIMORE RAVENS INVITED HIM TO A TRYOUT IN 2000.

Keanu Reeves Was Once Tapped To Try Out for Baltimore Ravens?

During pre-production of "The Replacements," Reeves participated in an intensive football training camp to prepare for his role as the quarterback.