Hidden areas of the internet and encrypted communications make it harder to monitor terror suspects, Europol Director Rob Wainwright told the BBC. Encrypted communications are the biggest problem in tackling terrorism across the globe. Tech firms should consider the impact sophisticated encryption software has on law enforcement, he said.
"Encrypted communications have become perhaps the biggest problem for the police and the security service authorities in dealing with the threats from terrorism," said Wainwright.
"It’s changed the very nature of counter-terrorist work from one that has been traditionally reliant on having good monitoring capability of communications to one that essentially doesn’t provide that anymore. Secure messaging apps and ‘dark net’ platforms are enabling criminals and terrorists to escape detection," according to Wainwright.