Sky ECC hack: Competent defense and comprehensive advice

Have you received a subpoena? Or has your home been searched? If you are facing investigations or allegations related to SkyECC, you should seek legal advice quickly. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys are happy to assist you. Learn more here!

Your criminal lawyers for the Sky ECC hack: Competent defense and comprehensive advice

Have you used the SkyECC encrypted communications system for potentially illegal activities? Are you concerned that an investigation has been initiated or is already underway against you? Now it's important to know: 

The analysis of SkyECC data by law enforcement authorities can have very serious consequences, particularly criminal and sometimes even financial consequences. However, the use of data and chats from the encrypted SkyECC messaging service is controversial among legal experts. To gain early clarity about your legal situation, we offer you expert consultations.

In an emergency, remain calm and do not provide any information until you have contacted one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys. This is especially important during house searches or arrests, as quick and well-considered action is essential in such cases.

Trust in our expertise in criminal law and drug law – we protect your rights and develop a tailor-made defense strategy with and for you.

SKY ECC hack: Challenge for criminal defense

From the perspective of law enforcement authorities, the official hack of SkyECC represents a milestone in the fight against organized crime and at the same time raises fundamental and highly critically discussed legal questions.

• SkyECC is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app from the Canadian provider Sky Global
• SKY ECC and access to over 70,000 user accounts
• In March 2021, Europol announced that Belgian, French and Dutch authorities had monitored and stored the communications of more than 70,000 SkyECC users in a large-scale operation. 
• The resulting data, particularly chat histories, led to large-scale searches, arrests, and seizures of assets in Belgium and the Netherlands on March 9, 2021. 

Our criminal defense attorneys can help you take targeted action against such charges. We offer competent advice and effective defense – especially during detention and court proceedings, but also during searches or immediately after arrests in connection with drug offenses. 

SkyECC investigations: What is known so far

• SkyECC: Scope of official access still unclear
• The complete technical process and the exact extent of access to SkyECC's encrypted content are still not fully known. 
• Nevertheless, investigative authorities are already using the data obtained in criminal proceedings. 
• In some cases, the information served as the basis for searches, seizures of property, and arrest warrants.
• What was SkyECC?
• SkyECC was the flagship product of provider Sky Global and was advertised as a secure, end-to-end encrypted smartphone messenger for Android phones.
• The system should ensure maximum anonymity. 
• Investigators suspect that many users were former customers of the hacked EncroChat service.
• When was the SkyECC data accessed?
• The large-scale surveillance was part of an operation planned since 2018 by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from Belgium, France and the Netherlands. 
• The live monitoring of the communications of over 70,000 users took place in February 2021 and spanned several weeks. 
• In addition, communication content dating back to the beginning of 2020 was secured.

SkyECC data: Scope, analysis and use in Germany

• How extensive is the data obtained?
• The German investigative authorities are said to have access to a data set four times larger than the EncroChat data already known. 
• This illustrates the immense extent of the information collected.
• How far has the analysis of the SkyECC data progressed?
• Currently, little is known about the progress of data analysis. 
• Despite the handover of the data by EUROPOL in March 2021, most of the court cases currently being heard continue to be based on EncroChat findings.
• However, allegations are increasingly being made based on SkyECC data, which have in some cases led to searches, arrest warrants and seizure of assets.
• At the beginning of February 2025, the Hamburg Public Prosecutor's Office announced that it expects to receive a data set from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for Hamburg, consisting of nearly 570 cell phone identifiers. The analysis of this data is currently underway.
• Are SkyECC data, chat histories, or text messages already being used for law enforcement purposes in Germany?
• Yes, the German investigative authorities are already accessing the Sky ECC data. 
• European Investigation Orders were issued with the aim of using this data as evidence in criminal proceedings. 
• The first arrest warrants and measures have already been executed, each based on these investigative orders.

Are you a SkyECC user under suspicion? Thanks to our years of experience defending clients in drug-related criminal proceedings, we can uncover potential procedural errors caused by unclear data origins and use them to your advantage. Rely on a customized strategy to comprehensively protect your rights.

SkyECC investigations: Possible measures and successful defense

• What measures do suspects face in SkyECC investigations?
• The investigating authorities initially conduct covert investigations, keeping their investigations secret.
• In many cases, suspects only learn of ongoing proceedings through the execution of search warrants or arrest warrants, and sometimes also arrest warrants.
• Until then, observations and telecommunications surveillance are often used to gather further incriminating information.
• Defense strategies against SkyECC allegations
• An effective defense begins with an examination of the investigation files and a thorough examination of the allegations. 
• The decisive factor is the comparison of the collected SkyECC data with other investigative results, such as observations from surveillance or other surveillance measures, and sometimes also witness statements. 
• The following questions are central:
• Can the alleged crimes actually be proven with the data, especially the content of the chat messages?
• Was the accused correctly identified as the alleged user?
• Doubts and disagreements as a defense approach

Our experienced criminal lawyers are available to assist you with criminal allegations related to SkyECC. We examine the legality of the evidence and also specifically focus on violations of digital forensic standards as a defense. 

SkyECC: How users are identified

• Chats from SkyECC are often not directly attributable to a specific individual. Usernames are often cover names or aliases, and cell phone numbers are associated with individuals other than the actual users. However, investigators use various clues to identify users:
• Personal greetings or details in the chats
• Recognizable features in photos, such as home furnishings, specific tattoos or fingers
• Comparison with observation findings, radio cell data and personal messages
• Through these methods, investigators attempt to establish a clear connection between specific individuals and the respective SkyECC communication.
• Are those affected informed that an investigation is being conducted against them?
• The investigating authorities can initially keep their investigations secret for a long time.
• If there is a suspicion that proceedings are pending against someone and therefore requests information, this information about ongoing proceedings is usually refused on the grounds that it could jeopardise the success of the investigation. 
• In addition, disclosure would often only be possible if those affected identify themselves as chat users, which in most cases is not in their own interest.

If you are accused of communicating via SkyECC, we are here for you as criminal defense attorneys. Contact us to build your defense and uncover potential flaws in the investigative chain of evidence.

Your criminal lawyers: Competent defense against SkyECC allegations

• Chats from SkyECC are often not directly attributable to a specific individual. Usernames are often cover names or aliases, and cell phone numbers are associated with individuals other than the actual users. However, investigators use various clues to identify users:
• Personal greetings or details in the chats
• Recognizable features in photos, such as home furnishings, specific tattoos or fingers
• Comparison with observation findings, radio cell data and personal messages
• Through these methods, investigators attempt to establish a clear connection between specific individuals and the respective SkyECC communication.
• Are those affected informed that an investigation is being conducted against them?
• The investigating authorities can initially keep their investigations secret for a long time.
• If there is a suspicion that proceedings are pending against someone and therefore requests information, this information about ongoing proceedings is usually refused on the grounds that it could jeopardise the success of the investigation. 
• In addition, disclosure would often only be possible if those affected identify themselves as chat users, which in most cases is not in their own interest.

If you are accused of communicating via SkyECC, we are here for you as criminal defense attorneys. Contact us to build your defense and uncover potential flaws in the investigative chain of evidence.

Trust our expertise – we defend your rights and protect your freedom. Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)