Devices seized near U.N. meeting could have shut down cellphone networks

['Jenna Mclaughlin', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] TPR: The Public's Radio 2025-09-23 15:07:46

The first day of high-level General Debate for the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly began on Tuesday. (Daniel Slim | AFP via Getty Images)The U.S. Secret Service said it uncovered a large network of electronic devices capable of disrupting cellphone networks in New York ahead of the 80th anniversary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. However, the U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said that the “potential” for damage was significant, ranging from disabling regional cellphone towers to facilitating communications between criminals and foreign adversaries. Secret Service agents are working alongside the New York Police Department and other law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations to conduct forensic analysis on the devices. The U.S. Secret Service did not say whether or not the devices uncovered in New York had any connection to Salt Typhoon operations.