A few days ago, there was an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. The shooter, identified as Matthew Crooks, reportedly used a newer Samsung phone that was difficult for the FBI to get into. However, the FBI cracked the phone with direct help from digital intelligence firm Cellebrite.
FBI used Cellebrite's unreleased software to crack Trump shooter's Samsung phone
According to a report from Bloomberg, the FBI was given access to unreleased software from Israeli firm Cellebrite. That software helped the FBI gain access to data stored on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone used by Donald Trump's shooter. The data will be used to decipher Matthew Crooks' motives for shooting at Trump during a political rally in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Cellebrite's cracking software helps law enforcement agencies bypass a phone’s passcode. However, it didn’t work with Crooks’ Samsung phone, which runs One UI based on Android OS. This shows that Galaxy phones have high levels of security.
FBI agents reportedly called Celabrite's federal team, which works with law enforcement and government agencies. Within hours, the company transferred additional technical support and under-development software to the FBI's office in Quantico, Virginia. After 40 minutes of work, the FBI could unlock Crooks' phone. Depending on the user's password strength, it can usually take minutes, hours, days, or even months to crack a phone.
Bloomberg reached out to Cellebrite for a comment on the matter but didn't receive any reply. During the shooting at the political rally, Donald Trump was injured after the bullet grazed through his ear, while a spectator died.
The story continues after our One UI 6.1.1 video, which shows the latest version of Samsung's phone software.
Samsung has been beefing up its software's privacy and security aspects for Galaxy smartphones and tablets. Thanks to Knox, Samsung's security suit, several Galaxy phones have received approvals from the US Department of Defense.
The company even made the Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition, Galaxy S23 Tactical Edition, and Galaxy XCover 6 Pro Tactical Edition, which is made for the US Department of Defence and federal government operators.
