In a dramatic turn of events after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the FBI used advanced, unreleased technology to unlock the phone of the shooter, Thomas Crooks.
As per reports, sources familiar with the case revealed that the FBI sought help from Cellebrite, an Israeli digital intelligence company, to access the phone.
The incident unfolded last week when Crooks fired shots at Trump during a public rally in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Trump sustained an ear injury, while a spectator was killed, and two others were critically injured.
In the immediate aftermath, the FBI sought to unlock Crooks’ phone to understand his motives. However, initial attempts to access the device, a newer Samsung model running Android’s operating system, were unsuccessful.
Unlocking the mystery: Cellebrite’s role
Cellebrite, known for its sophisticated phone unlocking technologies, stepped in after an urgent appeal from the FBI. The company quickly provided additional technical support, and a new software update is still in development.
Within 40 minutes of receiving the update, the FBI successfully unlocked Crooks’ phone, according to a Bloomberg report .
The Pittsburgh FBI bureau, which already held a license for Cellebrite software, initially failed to bypass the phone’s passcode.
This led to an emergency call to Cellebrite’s federal team, which is accustomed to liaising with law enforcement agencies. The FBI’s efforts highlight the crucial role of Cellebrite’s evolving technology in aiding federal investigations.
Technology under scrutiny
Cellebrite, listed on the Nasdaq stock market, claims that about a fifth of its public sector work involves federal customers. The company reported annual recurring revenue of $89.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 and has worked on more than 5 million cases.
However, its methods have drawn significant criticism from privacy advocates.
Critics argue that Cellebrite’s technology can be used unethically, potentially enabling mass surveillance and wrongful invasion of privacy. Jake Wiener, an attorney at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed concern over the implications of law enforcement using such technology.
“When law enforcement agencies contract for access to phone hacking technology, they create tremendous risks of abuse, wrongful surveillance, and mass surveillance,” Wiener stated .
He urged federal agencies to reconsider their contracts with Cellebrite, arguing that taxpayer dollars should not fund what he described as an “unethical and harmful business.”
Cellebrite has defended its practices, asserting that its software is used exclusively in legally sanctioned cases. The company has also ceased operations in certain regions, such as China and Hong Kong, due to human rights concerns.
Despite the backlash, Cellebrite continues to expand its services among US federal customers .
The aftermath of the attack
The attack on Trump , which took place on a Saturday, saw the shooter fire eight rounds before being fatally shot by Secret Service snipers. The former president was seen touching his ear as the shots rang out and was quickly escorted offstage by Secret Service agents.
Trump later confirmed on social media that a bullet had grazed the upper part of his right ear, causing significant bleeding.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.” The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was safe and had received medical attention before being released from a local hospital.
The FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was armed with an AR-style rifle that was legally purchased and registered to his father. Crooks was a 2022 graduate of Bethel Park High School.
The school has pledged to cooperate with law enforcement and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The FBI’s investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities treating it as both an assassination attempt and a potential case of domestic terrorism.
Despite the controversy surrounding Cellebrite’s involvement, the technology played a crucial role in unlocking key information from the shooter’s phone, providing valuable insights into the motivations behind the attack.
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