Phone Hacking In The News

It has been hard to miss the recent phone hacking in the news, in the United States, United Kingdom and several other concerned countries. News Corporations, News International and Rupert Murdoch have been accused of phone hacking several high profile individuals, including that of the Royal Family as well as celebrities. Hugh Grant has even now come forward to state that he believes himself to be a phone hacking victim, as well as several other U.S. 9/11 victims.

David Cameron, British Prime Minister has made a national statement that he will be looking into the accusation that News Corporation hacked into 9/11 victim's phones and voicemails during the horrific bombing that took place in the U.S.. Cameron stated, "I am confident the Metropolitan Police will get to the bottom of this."

Such police have been scrutinized for not following up with accusations in two thousand and seven that hacking was already occurring. Although, after the jail sentencing of News of the World's correspondent, the department claimed that they believed all was well and the phone hacking had ceased. Senator John Rockefeller has stated his personal concern with the accusations that News Corporations has broken U.S. phone hacking laws. He stated, "I am concerned that the admitted phone hacking in London by the News Corp. may have extended to 9/11 victims or other Americans. If they did, the consequences will be severe."

Since the accusations have begun to rise for News Corporation and Robert Murdoch, the company stock has dropped severely. Some suggest that the shares may continue to drop until the facts of the investigations have been revealed in full.

Due to the media blasts concerning this phone hacking scandal, Americans have begun to worry about their own voicemails and phone systems being hacked into. Who's to say personal phone of those not of such a high profile status have not been hacked for other purposes, including that of identity theft?

Caller ID spoofing companies are beginning to gain in further popularity with the News Corporation case being brought to the table. In being able to make a call that hides or manipulates your identity and your phone number, one can feel secure in knowing that their personal information has been kept private. For this reason both individuals and businesses have begun purchasing Caller ID spoofing monthly packages.

Professor of Journalism at the University of London, Ivor Gaber stated, "This is an unprecedented crisis because it has involved the media, the politicians and police, three of the most powerful groups in society." As this investigations unfolds it will be interesting for all countries to know exactly what they have been reading in the news, and from where the information came.