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The world of crime has also become hi-tech now. Gangsters and shooters are using messaging and social media apps with privacy features instead of normal calls or SMS. After the use of Snapchat in the investigation of Ankit Balyan murder case came to light, once again questions have been raised on crimes committed through digital platforms.

Tezzbuzz Desk- In today's era, criminals are also using technology rapidly. To avoid police surveillance and call detail records (CDR), some criminal networks resort to encrypted messaging apps and social media platforms. Digital connection has also become an important part of the investigation in the recently revealed murder case of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan.

The investigation revealed that Snapchat was used to target and give instructions to the shooters. It was told that before the incident, digital platform was also used for communication to Reiki and conspiracy. Links of the case to the gangsters sitting in Canada have also come to light.

Which apps do criminals use?

1. Snapchat: Benefits of disappearing messages

Snapchat is known for its disappearing messages feature. Some material sent in it may disappear after a certain period of time. For this reason, criminals can assume that there will be no permanent record of the conversation. In the Ankit Balyan case also, the use of the same platform has come to light in the investigation.

2. Signal: Encrypted chat option

Signal is known for end-to-end encryption. Its purpose is to keep users' conversations secure. Due to such features, some criminal networks can use it to communicate between people sitting abroad and local contacts.

3. Zangi: Private Calling & Messaging

Zangi is a messaging and internet calling platform. Its name has also come before the investigating agencies in such cases, where criminals use private communication platforms to contact or give instructions to new people in their network.

4. Telegram: Used for large networks

Telegram is also very popular among common users. It has groups, channels and different privacy features. By misusing these facilities, some criminal networks may try to send messages or instructions to large groups.

5. Instagram: A medium to reach new people

Many times criminals do not directly contact a person on an encrypted app. First contact can be made through profiles, posts or reels on social media platforms like Instagram. After this, an attempt is made to take the conversation to another private messaging platform.

Do encrypted apps keep criminals completely safe?

It is not right to believe that the police cannot reach a person after using an encrypted app. Encryption is mainly a technique to keep communication secure, but in investigation the police does not depend only on the content of the chat.

In the investigation of a case, mobile phones, available digital data, device information, social media activities, CCTV footage and other technical evidence can be viewed together.

Secrets can be revealed through digital forensics

If a mobile or other electronic device of an accused is recovered during the investigation, then experts can examine the data present or available in it through digital forensics. Deleted content, screenshots, backups and other digital information can also become part of the investigation.

Not just the app, the entire digital network is examined

Identifying an app used in a crime can be just the beginning of an investigation. The police try to understand the whole chain by linking different digital and physical evidences together.

In the Ankit Baliyan murder case too, it has come to light that the investigation should be taken forward by linking social media activities, CCTV footage, location of suspects and other available evidence.

This means that no matter how much high-tech technology criminals use, it is not easy to disappear completely in the digital world. Investigative agencies try to reach the criminals by combining evidence obtained from different sources.