Switzerland closes investigation into CIA-linked encryption firm
The spying began in the 1970s and allegedly continued until at least 2018, and over 100 countries worldwide were targeted.
Keystone / Ennio Leanza
The Swiss authorities have concluded that Crypto AG did not violate any laws when applying for export licences for what turned out to be compromised encryption devices.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/ac
Español
es
Concluyen procedimiento penal contra firma vinculada con la CIA
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has dropped criminal proceedings in connection with the Crypto affair, it announced on Monday in response to a request from the Keystone-SDA news agency. The charges had been filed in mid-February by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) against unknown persons.
The purpose of the investigation was to find out whether Crypto AG had concealed facts in the export licence applications and/or falsely declared important information. Other questions, such as espionage, were not at issue.
According to media reports, the Zug-based company had for years been selling compromised encryption devices to various foreign governments and armies. The devices had allegedly been manipulated so that the CIA and West German intelligence services could decrypt the communications running over them.
The OAG has ordered the return of around 400 confiscated encryption devices.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Heimatort, sweet Heimatort: the unique Swiss concept of home
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
This content was published on
A 16-year-old boy was trapped in a shop door during an attempted burglary in Vevey, western Switzerland, on Friday night. He died on the spot.
This content was published on
The 39th Fribourg International Film Festival (FIFF) has ended with a new attendance record. It also crowned a Chinese film the winner of the 2025 Grand Prix: Black Dog.
This content was published on
The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed cutting its budget by a fifth. This comes after its largest contributor, the US, decided to withdraw.
Swissaid and Helvetas support earthquake victims in Myanmar
This content was published on
The aid organisations want to use these funds to provide the population affected by Friday's earthquake with the most basic necessities.
Has ‘Crypto Leaks’ exposed Swiss neutrality as a sham?
This content was published on
Swiss politicians, historians and the media are debating the possible consequences of the latest spying scandal for the country’s credibility.
Swiss intelligence benefited from CIA-Crypto spying affair
This content was published on
Parliamentary investigation has revealed that Swiss intelligence service were aware of the Zug-based firm Crypto AG’s involvement in US-led spying.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.