Islamic State recruiters used encrypted message services to encourage terrorist attacks on London Bridge and at Westminster, it has been revealed.
Agents for the group gave instructions to undercover BBC journalists to target the landmarks using techniques which appear to be blueprints for the attacks.
An investigation to be broadcast this evening will increase pressure on the encrypted messaging services used by the agents — WhatsApp, Telegram and Surespot — to work with security services to disrupt terrorist plots.
Ben Wallace, the security minister, confirmed that encrypted communications and online videos were used by planners and recruiters who carried out this year’s terror attacks. “There was definitely usage of encrypted communications between planners and terrorists and people that carried out some of those dreadful attacks,”