{
  "id": 17056701,
  "title": "Garmin Messenger is placing too much trust in SMS verification, and this might not end well",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/garmin-messenger-is-placing-too-much-trust-in-sms-verification-and",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-29T11:52:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/garmin-messenger-recycled-phone-number-privacy-risk-3729560/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Garmin Messenger user has discovered that the app allows access to previous conversations by simply using SMS verification on a new phone, without needing the original owner's account password. The shocking revelation was shared on Reddit, raising serious concerns about privacy and security.\n\nThe user installed Garmin Messenger on a freshly set-up phone, entered their existing phone number, and completed the verification process via SMS. To their surprise, their entire chat history reappeared on the new device. Importantly, the second phone was able to send and receive messages as well, with no apparent method to view or disconnect other active sessions.\n\nThe potential implications of this vulnerability are alarming. If a phone number is recycled, the new owner could inherit the previous user's conversations, including sensitive location information. While Garmin has been notified of the issue, there has been no confirmation of a fix. The fact that handing over an old phone number could mean handing over private conversations is a troubling prospect for users of the Garmin Messenger app.",
  "summary": "Your old chats might not be gone when your phone number is reassigned.",
  "key_points": [
    "Garmin Messenger app grants access to previous conversations via SMS verification.",
    "New phone can send and receive messages without original owner's password.",
    "Privacy risk if phone numbers are recycled, exposing sensitive conversations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}