Military historian: One problem, but no one is surprised

For several years, there have been data suggesting how US and German intelligence services have been able to crack encrypted information through Crypto AG's encryption products. Some CIA documents that the Washington Post, the German public service company ZDF and the Swiss public service company SRF could take part of now confirm.

- I think many players in this industry, especially those who have had their information cracked, probably say now: "that has me," says military historian Fredrik Eriksson.

Crypto AG's collaboration with the CIA and the West German BND is called one of the best kept secrets of the Cold War. BND withdrew as early as the 1990s, while the CIA continued until 2018.

The encryption equipment has been used by at least 120 countries, including Argentina, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Today, at least dozens of countries are reported to use Crypto AG's products.

- Especially the United States has liked to know things, they have not even really trusted their allies in Europe from a historical point of view. But it is not so good to get stuck with your hand in the cookie jar, says Fredrik Eriksson.

According to Fredrik Eriksson, we are in a time where it is only the beginning of code cracking and encryption techniques that can be compressed and takes the disputed 5G network as an example.

- In the intelligence world, you are closest to yourself, you have no real allies. And all old technology may come back. Paper and pen may not be so stupid in the future, says Fredrik Eriksson.