Edward Snowden has revealed that the ‘encrypted email’ featured at the end of the latest ISIS video, is in fact a fake.
In the video, ISIS claim that Britain is next on their list of places to terrorise, and urge jihadists to commit lone wolf attacks across Europe.
Snowden says that the coded messages at the end of the video are fake, suggesting that the video itself may also be fraudulent, and possibly the result of Western propaganda.
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Belfasttelegraph.co.uk reports:
Governments and intelligence agencies around the world have long been concerned that Isis could be communicating using encrypted messaging tools like PGP, which would make it almost impossible for spies to listen in on what they are saying.
Journos: The #ISIS video’s “encrypted email” is confirmed fake. If any official responds as if it’s real, push back. pic.twitter.com/fKHAAk1SAa
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 24, 2016
Does #ISIS see advantage in West limiting access to strong security? Juxtaposing “spooky” fake crypto with anti-crypto Cameron implies yes.
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 24, 2016
The encrypted message at the end of the video appeared to confirm this fear – but former NSA analyst Snowden has claimed it is fake.
Writing on Twitter, he pointed out that the ID for the encryption key shown in the video has an incorrect number of characters, and also found that the purported ‘starting date’ of the Isis operation mentioned in the message came three days earlier than the creation of the key which encrypted it.
Annotating a screenshot from the video, Snowden wrote: “I hope you built a time machine to go with your ‘attack plans.'”
Addressing journalists on Twitter, he added: “The Isis video’s ‘encrypted email’ is confirmed fake. If any official responds as if it’s real, push back.”
He also suggested that by placing these images of “spooky” encryption alongside images of David Cameron, who wants to ban end-to-end encryption in the UK, means Isis sees an advantage in the West “limiting access to strong security.”
It has been reported that members of Isis in Syria have used the encrypted messaging app Telegram to communicate and spread their message overseas. Similar reports, such as a story which claimed the Paris terrorists had used the PlayStation online gaming network to communicate, led to renewed calls for the government to crack down on encryption.
However, pro-encryption activists believe introducing ‘backdoors’ into messaging services and devices would jepoardise innocent people’s privacy. Others have pointed out that despite speculation, the Paris gunmen communicated through unencrypted text messages during and before their attack.
