[hamiltont]

For their objectives, that was undoubtedly a good return on investment. Even ignoring the ROI, the absolute cost seems quite reasonable given the feature set and target market. Someone picked a good CHS or did a good job with avoiding scope creep.

While I applaud them for their understanding and use of technology, it is a strange feeling to see the FBI start to think like the NSA. Given the positive PR of this approach+result other teams will most assuredly try to replicate it

[junon]

Which is fine, if you ask me. This app was created for criminal dealings, specifically. It was handed over to them by a criminal. They had an op to specifically distribute the compromised app only to the crime networks.

They didn't take over good-faith services. They didn't try to spy on civilians. They didn't try to blanket-surveil the public.

It was a clever, successful and seemingly by-the-books operation.