Wireless Phone Tapped

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 31, 12 February 1932, Page 8

Wireless Phone Tapped

Unusual Case of Eavesdropping "THE possibility that hundreds or even thousands of owners of wireless sets are in possession of secrets which have passed over the trans-oceanic telephone has been disclosed by a London listener. He is able to pick up messages on 2 standard three-valve receiving set fitted with a shortwave adapter such as can be bought in any wireless shop for 30/-. Recently the "Sunday Dxpress spoke to Mr. Kaye Don at Buenos Aires by telephone when he made an attempt on the speedboat record. Within 32 minutes of the time of booking the call Mr. Kaye Don’s full story, told by himself, was in the office of the "Sunday Hxpress." . Thirty minutes later an amateur wireless enthusiast telephoned to the "Sunday Express" and informed the editor that he had ovérheard the conversation. He added that he heard Mr. Kaye Don speaking some minutes later to one of Lord Wakefield’s representatives in Hngland, informing him that he had given his personal account to the "Sunday Express," and requesting that this newspaper should be supplied with any other details they re quired. Shortly afterward Lord Wakefield's representative telephoned to the "Sun- day Express": offering further details. He expressed his astonishment on being informed that his conversation with Buenos Aires had been overheard. The facts were communicated to an official of the London Telephone Service, who said: "If you tell us who the man is we will report the matter to the secretary of the G.P.O. This is a very serious matter, and we shall, in all probability, prosecnte," The- listener, Mr. Alan Dilnot, of Dorset Road, Wimbledon, gave permission for his identity to be revealed. "In the interests of all who use the Wireless telephone service I am petfectly willing to be prosecuted in the hope that the ‘test case’ will ultimately result in an end being put to eavesdropping," said Mr. Dilnot to a-represen-tative of the "Sunday Express." Mr. Dilnot was interviewed by post office officials, who warned him that by conveying details of the conversation he overheard he rendered himself liable to heavy penalties under the Wireless Telegraph Act. . Full details of Mr, Dilnot’s eavesdropping have now been placed before the legal advisers to the Post Office to decide whether he is to be prosecuted. If this course is taken it will be the first prosecution of its kind. "TI have listened to a number of con:

yersations over the wireless telephone," added Mr. Dilnot. "On the same night that I intexcepted Mr. Kaye Don’s message to the "Sunday Express" I heard a member of a Tuondon firm talking to his mother. ‘On another occasion I listened to a man who wanted to know about a seeret marriage which had taken place in Paris." A Post Office official said to a representative of the "Sunday Express’: "We are taking a very serious view of the matter. We admit that conversations between London and "Buenos Aires can be picked up by owners of wireless sets."