International cooperation between Europol, Eurojust and law enforcement authorities has led to the dismantling of the encrypted criminal communications platform Ghost.

Europol, together with authorities from nine countries, has successfully shut down the Ghost platform. This encrypted communications system was used by thousands of criminals worldwide to communicate undetected and coordinate operations such as drug trafficking and money laundering. Self-destructing messages and other security options allowed users to erase traces and evade forensic investigations.

During the international operation, 51 suspects were arrested, including 38 in Australia and 11 in Ireland. The operation also resulted in the dismantling of a drug laboratory, the seizure of weapons and drugs, and the seizure of more than 1 million euros in cash worldwide. The operation was made possible by the use of a special Europol task force set up in 2022, which worked with authorities from nine countries, including Australia, France, the United States and the Netherlands.

Europol reports that the takedown was a complex, data-driven investigation. How the agency managed to crack the encrypted platform. Ghost had its own infrastructure and distribution network.

Permanent fight against encrypted communication

The takedown of Ghost fits into a broader trend of more and more encrypted platforms being shut down by law enforcement. Criminal networks are now turning to lesser-known or bespoke communication tools to make further detection more difficult. This fragmented landscape presents an ongoing challenge for authorities, who continue to argue for a balance between privacy and the need for lawful access to data to combat serious crime.

Europol continues to work with different countries and organisations to identify and disrupt new criminal communication platforms, stressing the importance of cybersecurity and legal protection.