Hacked phones and Wi-Fi surveillance have replaced Cold War spies and radio waves in the delusions of people with schizophrenia

By: Alaina Vandervoort Burns, University of California, Los Angeles, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 17, 2025

Words: 1,078

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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By Alaina Vandervoort Burns, University of California, Los Angeles

A young woman starts to become suspicious of her cellphone. She notices it listing Wi-Fi networks she does not recognize, and the photos on her contact cards seem to mysteriously change at random times. One day she tries to make a call and just hears static on the line. She begins to think that someone – or an entire organization – has hacked her phone or placed …

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