Police Shut Down MATRIX Encrypted Messaging Service
/ 1 min read
International law enforcement dismantles MATRIX encrypted messaging platform. A coordinated operation, dubbed ‘Operation Passionflower,’ led by Europol and Eurojust, has successfully shut down MATRIX, an encrypted messaging service used by cybercriminals. The operation spanned multiple European countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Italy, and resulted in the seizure of 40 servers and the arrest of five suspects. Authorities monitored 2.3 million messages over three months, uncovering communications from approximately 8,000 users who paid for the service with cryptocurrency. The investigation revealed that MATRIX facilitated various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering. Law enforcement has also issued a warning to users about the exposure of their communications and is continuing its investigations into the platform’s operations.