Police have successfully taken down an encrypted chat app called Ghost that was popular among criminals worldwide. The European Union’s police agency, Europol, led the operation and seized 42 ‘Ghost’ encrypted devices in the process. Ghost, a relatively new app that launched in 2021, offered unique features that made it appealing to criminal enterprises.
Authorities revealed that Ghost had thousands of users exchanging messages daily, with the majority being involved in drug trafficking, weapons dealing, and money laundering. Europol’s deputy executive director described Ghost as a tool that enabled serious and organized crime on an industrial scale. The operation led to the arrest of 51 individuals, mostly in Australia.
This is not the first time law enforcement has dismantled encrypted chat apps used by criminals. Previous takedowns include EncroChat, Sky ECC, and ANOM, which was actually run by the FBI. Europol emphasized the importance of cooperation between authorities and encrypted services to prevent criminal activity online while respecting privacy.
The takedown of Ghost highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing security and privacy in the digital age, especially as criminals continue to exploit encryption for illicit activities.
