> Mr Snowden said GCHQ could gain access to a handset by sending it an encrypted text message and use it for such things as taking pictures and listening in.

This sentence is as much context as the article provides, and I won't rehash my other comment, but this could be from a recently purchased ~$20 burner to a ~$800 iPhone. Not every phone is windows/android/apple and connected. idk, I found it pretty eye opening.