Message service predominantly used by Pixel users intercepted by authorities

european authorities Message service turned off called matrix. It is used by various international criminal networks.

Matrix, also known as Mactrix, Totalsec, X-quantum and Q-safe, is an encrypted communications platform that facilitates criminal activity. The website was taken down on December 3 by law enforcement mainly in the Netherlands and France.

The service offers an ecosystem of apps that allow users to hide their identities online, make video calls and track transactions.

When crime reporter Peter R. de Vries was attacked in 2021, police launched an investigation into Matrix after finding a device with this service in the gunman’s car.

Authorities monitored the service’s traffic for months for criminal messages. They were able to read messages instantly before dismantling communications services, intercepting and reading more than 2.3 million messages in total.

The service is advanced and highly secure, and its infrastructure consists of more than 40 servers located around the world. This gives users the illusion that their communications are safe and cannot be caught.

Matrix is ​​available to smartphone users in the form of an app, primarily used by Google Pixel users. A six-month subscription costs between €1,300 (approximately $1,356) and €1,600 (approximately $1,669). This is an invitation-only app, which means you can only use it if you already know the user.

Matrix has a diverse user base, and government authorities say they’ve seen people communicating on it in 33 languages. Most users are located in Southern Europe. Detectives have successfully identified the user, but it’s unclear what legal trouble awaits. Users participate in criminal activities such as international drug trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, and criminal partnership.

It is controlled by Spain and its owners are believed to be Lithuanian nationals. So far, two people have been arrested in connection with the app.