TechCrunch Startup News New zero-day startup offers $20 million for tools that can hack any smartphone
Aug 22, 2025
A new player in the zero-day market is offering a staggering $20 million bounty for vulnerabilities in smartphone operating systems. This surge in hacking tool prices highlights the escalating battle between hackers and tech firms strengthening their cybersecurity. The rising demand for these exploits raises ethical questions about privacy and security as governments seek better access to mobile devices. The podcast dives into these high-stakes rewards and the implications for the cybersecurity landscape.
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New Firm Lists $20M Bounty
- Advanced Security Solutions publicly offers up to $20 million for mobile zero-days, signaling high market valuations for powerful exploits.
- The firm claims broad government ties but refuses to disclose ownership, raising transparency concerns.
Why Zero-Day Prices Have Surged
- Zero days are undisclosed software flaws that fetch huge sums from agencies seeking access to devices.
- Prices have risen as demand climbed and tech firms hardened security, making exploits rarer and more valuable.
Don’t Deal With Anonymous Brokers
- Avoid selling exploits to opaque intermediaries whose ownership and customers are unknown.
- Transparency about buyers and ethics matters when choosing who to transact with, according to researchers.