Decoder with Nilay Patel How the FBI built its own smartphone company to hack the criminal underworld
43 snips
May 23, 2024 
In this engaging conversation, Joseph Cox, co-founder of 404 Media and author of "Dark Wire," shares insights on the FBI's audacious venture into the smartphone market with the startup ANOM. He discusses the evolution of secure messaging platforms from BlackBerry to Signal and their relevance to criminal activities. Joseph reveals the complexities of law enforcement's balancing act between technology and privacy, including the challenges of infiltrating encrypted communication networks. His captivating stories highlight the intersection of tech innovation and crime.
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Early Criminal Smartphone Use
- Criminals initially favored BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) for its perceived security.
- Authorities, however, began intercepting BBM messages, leading criminals to create customized, secure BlackBerrys.
Phantom Secure's Strategy
- Phantom Secure added encrypted email to modified BlackBerrys and used resellers who knew the criminals.
- This built trust and allowed for accountability, unlike mainstream tech companies.
Phantom Secure's Downfall
- The FBI targeted Phantom Secure by flipping a distributor and getting close to the CEO, Vincent Ramos.
- Ramos made incriminating statements but didn't provide a backdoor, leading to his arrest and Phantom Secure's shutdown.
