Encrypted Communication Apps: From Telegram to EncroChat

This episode of The Dark Dive focuses on encrypted communication apps, including Telegram, Tox, Signal, Session, and Jabber.

While not strictly speaking part of the "dark web", these apps are used by the same criminals to perpetrate many of the same crimes. We start with the "mainstream", taking a close look at the popular messaging app Telegram in the wake of the arrest of its CEO in August 2024. Vlad, a threat intelligence analyst at Searchlight Cyber then takes us through the alternative apps that criminals may migrate to, should the privacy changes to Telegram make in an inhospitable environment for cybercrime.

We then take a look at the other end of the spectrum with the example of EncroChat - an encrypted communication network that required a special device sold on subscription. Dave Osler, Head of Product at Searchlight Cyber, talks us through the type of crimes that took place on this "high end" encrypted network and the international law enforcement operation that brought the whole thing crashing down.

Further reading:

The arrest of Telegram's CEO: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/...

Privacy changes on Telegram: https://thehackernews.com/2024/09/tel...

Vice's reporting around the takedown of EncroChat: https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-p...

Europol and Eurojust's figures around EncroChat: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-p...

The Ghost app takedown: https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-p...

Want to find out more or have a suggestion for future podcast episodes?
Email: thedarkdive@slcyber.io
Website: www.slcyber.io
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/searchlight-cyber
X: www.twitter.com/SLCyberSec
Weekly newsletter: www.slcyber.io/beacon/