Security News > 2021 > March > CEO of Sky Global encrypted chat platform indicted by US
The US Department of Justice has indicted the CEO of encrypted messaging company Sky Global, and an associate for allegedly aiding criminal enterprises avoid detection by law enforcement.
Sky Global is the developer of an encrypted chat app known as Sky ECC that claims to be the "Most secure messaging app available anywhere in the world today."
Earlier this week, Europol announced that law enforcement in Belgium and the Netherlands made arrests after monitoring the Sky ECC encrypted chat platform for illegal activity.
Herdman is said to be a former global distributor of Sky Global devices.
"As part of its services, Sky Global guarantees that messages stored on its devices can and will be remotely deleted by the company if the device is seized by law enforcement or otherwise compromised," stated the US DOJ press release.
"According to the indictment, Sky Global's purpose was to create, maintain, and control a method of secure communication to facilitate the importation, exportation, and distribution of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine into Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, including the United States and Canada; to launder the proceeds of such drug trafficking conduct; and to obstruct investigations of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations by creating, maintaining, and controlling a system whereby Sky Global would remotely delete evidence of such activities," announced the DOJ. The indictment further alleges that Sky Global employees used cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to help their customers launder money.