FBI criminal surveillance operation data was stored on a server in Šiauliai
Data from encrypted "Anom" phones used during the FBI operation "Trojan Shield" was stored on a server in Šiauliai. Lithuanian courts authorised the secret copying of this data in 2019 and its transmission to the FBI.
FBI criminal surveillance operation data was stored on a server in Šiauliai
It has emerged that data from encrypted phones used during the international "Trojan Shield" operation conducted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was held on a server in Šiauliai. This was reported by media outlets, citing leaked documents.
The "Anom" encryption network, which law enforcement distributed to criminal groups worldwide, included approximately 12,000 phones. These devices allowed the FBI and its partners to intercept and monitor criminal communications. All of this information was stored on the Šiauliai server.
In the autumn of 2019, the United States approached Lithuania for legal assistance. On 3 October, a judge at Vilnius Regional Court signed an order allowing officers from Lithuania's Criminal Police Bureau to regularly access the premises in Šiauliai, secretly copy data from the server, and forward it to the FBI.
According to media reports, the server was described in the court order as being used by criminal groups, but it was not stated that it was controlled by law enforcement or that it was a platform created by the FBI.
Leaked letters show that the FBI may have initially submitted a more detailed request, which mentioned that "Anom" was created by the bureau and that it controlled the server. However, this information was removed from the final legal assistance request at the suggestion of Lithuanian officials.
In 2021, the "Trojan Shield" operation worldwide resulted in approximately 700 raids and more than 800 arrests. The vast majority of these were members of major drug smuggling networks or individuals associated with them.
The FBI emphasised that the operation was conducted legally. Lithuania's General Prosecutor's Office declined to comment further on the country's role, citing confidentiality obligations to partners.
Source: The Baltic Times
Source: The Baltic Times