To be fair they were also using encrypted messaging to talk to each other like WhatsApp and Signal, they even show their mom how to use it which is extremely suspicious.
“All members of this group were particularly suspicious, only communicating with each other using encrypted applications, in particular Signal, and encrypting their computers and devices […].
The Investigating Judge
https://www.laquadrature.net/en/2023/06/05/criminalization-of-encryption-the-8-december-case/ https://www.laquadrature.net/en/2023/10/06/the-beginning-of-the-8-december-trial-is-also-the-judgement-of-the-right-to-privacy-and-encryption/
when the DGSI [a French security agency charged with counter-espionage, counter-terrorism, countering cybercrime and surveillance of potentially threatening groups] has questioned Bastien about what he thinks of Macron. A photograph on his computer is mentioned, which according to them details the President’s security arrangements for the July 14th parade. (…)
The device in question (an aerial photo taken from the press) is highlighted in such a way as to draw a dick. A dick.
The link is made with Bastien’s passion for drones. The implication is that he could have used a drone to attack this dick-shaped device using explosives.
https://www.auposte.fr/j7-quis-terroristiat-ipsos-terroristes/
The good news is that it works.
Sure this is against the French police, not the NSA, but it shows that by using these tools the police struggle to track you and what you are doing.
If they had some easy backdoor we would probably not see the push against encryption that we are currently seeing in Europe.