German federal police use Trojan virus to evade phone encryption

[Gorgus]

[QUOTE]A report in German media has said that the BKA accesses data before it is encrypted and inaccessible. While police argue the tool is essential for investigations, critics have warned of a state invasion of privacy.

Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is using a Trojan virus as a tool to access data documents of suspected individuals on their smartphones before the information becomes encrypted by apps such as Telegram and WhatsApp, according to a report by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters WDR and NDR.

The BKA uses the controversial software, which it refers to as "source telecommunication surveillance," to take advantage of security gaps that exist unbeknownst to the public.

The BKA maintains that using the virus allows them to more effectively investigate digital communication, but security experts say that the tool could be used by criminals. In addition, anti-surveillance activists argue that its use is an invasion of personal security by the state — a sensitive subject in Germany given the country's history of surveillance under both the Nazi regime and the state police in the German Democratic Republic during the communist era.[/QUOTE]

Source: [url]http://m.dw.com/en/german-federal-police-use-trojan-virus-to-evade-phone-encryption/a-42328466[/url]

[Tamschi]

That's going to be interesting again. Last time they used something like this, I think they got sued and had to scrap the software.

[Sableye]

[QUOTE=Tamschi;53086090]That's going to be interesting again. Last time they used something like this, I think they got sued and had to scrap the software.[/QUOTE]

if the german feds have this then imagine what the american counter intelligence agencies have...

[WINDOWS098]

I'm sorry, what? Trojan virus? That's like saying attachment Magazine or computer chair. Yeah they're related but a Trojan is a malware that doesn't infect but is still hidden in a program. Journalism at its finest, I guess.

[crashlapine]

[QUOTE=windows098;53086296]I'm sorry, what? Trojan virus? That's like saying attachment Magazine or computer chair. Yeah they're related but a Trojan is a malware that doesn't infect but is still hidden in a program. Journalism at its finest, I guess.[/QUOTE]

german criminal law refers to this kinda thing by the name "bundestrojaner," so i'm not sure you can fault journalism for using that term. it's about as close an english translation as it gets

[PivotalSpark]

What if it gets leaked and becomes a worldwide threat?