The Secret Service and NYPD stopped a plot to disrupt telecommunications in New York City.

The U.S. Secret Service uncovered a plot targeting New York City's telecommunications infrastructure while investigating threats against three individuals, one of whom has "direct access" to President Trump. Due to the potential involvement of a foreign government, details about the incident are limited. The news emerged as the United Nations General Assembly began its General Debate.

Although the Secret Service has not confirmed any link between the telecom system threat and the UN meetings, the agency is investigating the extent of the plot. This action is partly due to the current political situation in the United States.

Last month, the Secret Service and the NYPD seized 100,000 cellphone SIM cards and hundreds of servers in the New York City area. Authorities are analyzing the equipment's intended purpose and potential targets. One report indicated the seized equipment could have sent 30 million anonymous texts per minute, potentially crippling New York's telecom infrastructure.

The confiscated equipment was found within 35 miles of the UN. Agents suspect nation-state actors used the gear to send encrypted messages to organized crime groups, cartels, and terrorist organizations.

According to Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s New York field office, the servers could have overwhelmed local networks with calls and texts. McCool stated that the system could disable cell towers, preventing communication. He added that this, combined with an event associated with the UN General Assembly, "could be catastrophic to the city."

McCool said, "This network had the power to disable cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cellular network in New York City."

The Secret Service released a photo showing stacks of SIM cards from MobileX, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). MobileX issued a statement acknowledging that its SIM cards were among those recovered during the investigation. The company said its platform is designed to be accessible and affordable, which may attract misuse. MobileX stated that it has safeguards to detect and block automated or bulk usage, and it shuts down suspicious activity daily.

MobileX added that it is prepared to cooperate with authorities.

Investigators do not believe there is a direct threat to the UN talks. The BBC reported that the seized equipment could have texted every person in the U.S. in 12 minutes. By flooding the system, the equipment could have disabled cell towers and launched denial-of-service attacks, potentially hindering first responders in a major attack.

In other news, a book called "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," chronicling the technological revolution of the 21st century, will be released in a few months.