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The Last Text: Why the FBI Says It's Time to Hit Delete
June 11, 2025

The Last Text: Why the FBI Says It’s Time to Hit Delete

In December 2024, the FBI and CISA warned Americans to stop using regular text messages. This eye-opening alert has everyone exploring what comes next for texting, particularly for businesses that need to keep data safe. Text messages (SMS) aren’t encrypted, can be intercepted easily, and could create legal headaches–which is why many companies are switching to safer options. For organizations that need to collect data from smartphones, this means navigating a complex transition as crucial communications migrate to encrypted platforms, where traditional collection methods may no longer be effective.

The Rising Threat of SMS Phishing (Smishing)

The FBI didn’t issue this warning out of nowhere. We’re seeing a huge jump in text message scams, or “smishing.” Hackers are getting better at tricking people through texts, often by pretending to be Amazon or Microsoft. When your employees fall for these scams, your company data gets exposed. That’s why businesses need to move to more secure messaging platforms – and fast.

Why SMS Poses Security Risks

Security experts have been warning us about SMS text message problems for years. The FBI is finally backing them up:

  • Anyone with the right tools can read your texts. They’re not protected.
  • When iPhone users text Android users, messages default to SMS or RCS, neither of which is fully secure.
  • If your company uses texting for verification codes or important communications, you’re risking both data breaches and hefty fines.

State-sponsored hackers, including China’s Salt Typhoon, have exploited SMS weaknesses to access sensitive metadata and live communications. As SMS security continues to erode, businesses must rethink their approach to secure messaging.

The Shift Away from SMS-Based Authentication

Companies are increasingly steering away from SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) due to rising costs and security vulnerabilities. Authentication apps, passkeys, and biometric verification offer stronger protection against phishing and malware attacks that target SMS.

This shift carries significant implications for corporate security. Mobile-first attack strategies now target multiple channels, including SMS, email, and messaging apps. The blending of personal and enterprise data on mobile devices heightens risks for companies with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, making it imperative to adopt more sophisticated security measures.

Emerging Security Protocols and Compliance Considerations

End-to-end encryption now serves as a critical feature for secure messaging platforms. Organizations must ensure compliance with evolving regulations that mandate secure handling and retention of electronic communications, such as GDPR (which enforces data protection for personal information) and financial regulations like SEC and FINRA rules, which require proper retention and protection of business-related messages.

As governments push for stronger security standards, businesses should consider: (1)  encrypted alternatives to SMS, (2) integrating secure data collection strategies, and (3) updating acceptable use policies.

Encrypted Messaging Is Now Business-Critical

WhatsApp, Signal, and WeChat have become primary business communication channels. While these platforms offer better security, they create new challenges for compliance teams. Traditional collection tools may capture encrypted messages, but they often can’t decrypt them—leaving critical data inaccessible for months or even years.

These gaps create significant blind spots for compliance and legal teams who need access to communications for investigations, audits, or litigation. As business conversations shift to encrypted platforms, companies need collection methods specifically designed to handle these secure channels effectively.

How ModeOne Addresses These Challenges

The decline of SMS and the rise of encrypted messaging create new complexities in data collection and security. ModeOne’s patented SaaS framework provides a secure, privacy-centric approach tailored to this evolving landscape.

  • Secure and Compliant Data Collection: ModeOne eliminates the need for broad, unstructured data collection by enabling targeted retrieval of relevant information from smartphones. This methodology ensures compliance with global privacy regulations while protecting custodians’ personal data.
  • Adaptability to New Messaging Platforms: As businesses transition away from SMS, ModeOne’s ability to collect data from encrypted apps and emerging communication platforms ensures continued relevance. The company’s expertise in digital data retrieval positions it at the forefront of secure mobile data collection.
  • Accelerating Data Collection for Investigations: ModeOne accelerates time-to-facts for corporate investigations, compliance audits, and legal discovery processes with same-day data collection capabilities from smartphones. By offering defensible, ethical, and cost-effective solutions for capturing mobile communications, ModeOne enables organizations to efficiently gather the data they need without lengthy delays or excessive costs.

The Future of Corporate Messaging & Data Collection

The FBI’s warning is a wake-up call for businesses. Text messaging isn’t safe anymore. As companies switch to encrypted messaging platforms, they need policy updates, and efficient ways to collect and transfer data from secure channels for compliance, investigations, and legal proceedings.

Want to see how ModeOne can help your company efficiently capture and transfer smartphone communications data in this new landscape of encrypted messaging? Book a demo today, and we’ll show you.