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I went to a major cell provider and asked them nicely for access to SMS for all their customers and they happily took money and gave me an API.

This was for a startup.

I have no doubt they do the same for governments.

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If I understand this correctly you’re saying a major cell provider is selling you access to subscriber SMS message content?

They sold access to send or send/receive messages for use cases where customers would legitimately consent. E.G. a wireless Bluetooth accessory that wants to access and reply to SMS message content on Apple devices that Apple won't grant access to.

Still. It meant a very powerful API key had to be protected and never abused.

I can only imagine others obtain God SMS access like this with less than ethical intentions.

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