In response to the recent online debate on the possibility of mobile phones being hacked and that such breaches can be exposed via Settings Interrogation Codes, the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) issued a statement on Wednesday, categorically denying such allegations. The NCSC asserted that these codes, commonly known as Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) or Man-Machine Interface (MMI) codes, are merely service tools offered by telecom operators to enable users to track call redirection, especially when their mobile devices are busy or unreachable. The uproar began following a broadcast by a local television channel, wherein an individual claimed the potential of mobile phones being hacked. He further posited that dialing certain USSD shortcodes would help subscribers ascertain if their phones have been compromised and if their calls were being redirected to another number. However, the NCSC clarified that these MMI codes are standard features provided by telecommunications companies for user convenience and do not indicate any form of security breach. They emphasized that there was no need for users to report to the police if they had dialed the codes circulated on social media recently. The NCSC also reiterated that there are no valid codes that ordinary citizens can use to determine if their mobile devices have been hacked or subjected to unauthorized surveillance. The MMI or USSD codes are typically used for activating or deactivating specific network services provided by a telecom operator, such as call forwarding, barring, etc.
Source: Jordan News Agency