Thousands of athletes and visitors to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, are having their phones and computers hacked, NBC News reports.
Nightly News host Brian Williams revealed on Tuesday night that the private information on tourists’ electronic devices is being stolen by the Russian network the moment they turn on their devices.
"As tourists and families of athletes arrive in Sochi, if they haven't been warned, and if they fire up their phones at baggage claim, it's probably too late to save the integrity of their electronics and everything inside them,” said Williams. “Visitors to Russia can expect to be hacked…and it's not a matter of if, but when."
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Reporting from the Russian coastal resort of Sochi, Richard Engel said that the State Department has warned that travelers should have “no expectation of privacy,” even in their hotel rooms.
“And as we found out, you are especially exposed as soon as you try and communicate with anything. One of the first thing visitors to Russia will do is log on. Hackers here are counting on it, " Engel said. "Malicious software hijacked our phone before we even finished our coffee, stealing my information, and giving hackers the option to tap and record my phone calls."
Hundreds of U.S. athletes competing in the games are likely to have their phones hacked, along with their coaches and training staff, as well as family members and friends who arrive to watch them compete.
The spectacular opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is being held on Thursday night, with the first events starting on Friday.
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