FBI Unlocks Phone of Trump Shooter with Help from Israeli Cyber Intel Firm
The FBI has successfully unlocked the cell phone of the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally last weekend. With the help of an Israeli cyber intel firm, the FBI gained access to the shooter’s phone in just 40 minutes after multiple failed attempts.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service snipers after firing at Trump from a rooftop at the Pennsylvania rally. The FBI seized Crook’s phone and other electronic devices in the aftermath of the shooting, hoping to uncover clues about his motivation.
After struggling to unlock the phone using their own resources, the FBI turned to the Israeli digital intelligence company Cellebrite for assistance. With the help of Cellebrite’s forensic software tools, the FBI was able to access the device and extract valuable data.
The FBI’s breakthrough comes amidst controversy surrounding Israeli spyware firms like Cellebrite. These firms have faced criticism for providing powerful hacking tools to governments and bad actors around the world. Pegasus spyware, created by the NSO group, has been used to target journalists, dissidents, and government advocacy groups.
Despite the success in unlocking the shooter’s phone, the FBI and Cellebrite have not disclosed the specific methods used. However, reports suggest that images of both President Joe Biden and Trump were found on the device, raising further questions about the shooter’s motives.
