In Operation Trojan Shield an FBI-led alliance of national security services used ANOM, a fake EncroChat-style communication network, to capture 800 criminals in possibly the biggest undercover cyber-sting ever. They netted over 32 tons of drugs and more than $148 million in cash. But why could this coup be a bit of an own goal for the authorities? International security expert Dr Binoy Kampmark of RMIT University in Melbourne tells Nina Schick what the sting means – and how US law enforcement tours the world for countries with “back doors” into private data.

“The problem is that these criminals will now go back to Apple – because Apple fights for privacy.”
“Governments want to control the tech companies – but they also like the way those companies act.”

Presented by Nina Schick. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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Daily: CYBER-STING – The FBI’s fake app that toppled criminal conspiracy