Comment by XorNot
4 months ago
They can take ownership of the number but not the keys on the device, which would show up as safety codes changing.
This problem is honestly minor compared to teaching users to have opsec practices suitable against such a threat.
Most people take no notice of this stuff IMO. I see it regularly in WhatsApp groups when someone gets a new phone (presumably, or they are being impersonated!).
Right but thats my point: if you adversary is a nation-state, assuming any technical measure can casually protect users against targeted action is foolhardy.