eli5 How can intelligence agencies intercept traffic if its encrypted

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Hi,
I was reading [this](https://www.businessinsider.com/passenger-faces-120k-fines-after-fighter-jets-scrambled-for-bomb-joke-2024-1?amp) article, in which some kid made a joke about bombing the plane to his friend/s over snapchat just before boarding. The message was intercepted by the intelligence agencies and some response military planes were sent to intercept the plane.
So the assumption is that airport network traffic is heavy sniffed and analysed by local intelligence agencies but based on the following facts:
– snapchat is end to end encrypted
– traffic goes over HTTPS
– he sent the message to his friend/s who clearly didn’t report him for a prank

How was the intelligence agency able to figure out the content of the message?

In: Technology

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Mr Verma’s message was picked up by the UK security services who flagged it to Spanish authorities while the easyJet plane was still in the air.

A court in Madrid heard it was assumed the message triggered alarm bells after being picked up via Gatwick’s Wi-Fi network.

All from the original bbc story.

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