Friday, May 1, 2026
Sci/Tech - LEVEL1

Authorities Hack Popular Messaging App Among Pixel Users

By aimee yang
Authorities Hack Popular Messaging App Among Pixel Users
European authorities have closed a messaging service called Matrix. This service was used by many criminal groups around the world. On December 3, police in the Netherlands and France worked together to shut it down.

Matrix was a special app that allowed users to hide their identity. It allowed users to make video calls and manage money safely. Police started investigating Matrix after they found the app in the car of a shooter when crime journalist Peter R. de Vries was attacked in 2021.

Authorities watched the app for months. They could read messages while they were sent. In total, they looked at over 2.3 million messages. The app worked on over 40 servers worldwide, making users feel their messages were safe.

Matrix was mainly used on Google Pixel phones. It cost between 1,300 and 1,600 euros for a six-month subscription. Users could only join if they were invited by someone. Many people communicated in 33 different languages. The app was controlled from Spain, and its owner is believed to be from Lithuania. So far, two people have been arrested.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Authorities/əˈθɔrɪtiz/noun
Organizations or individuals with power or control in a specific area.

Investigating/ɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪtɪŋ/verb
The process of examining or inquiring into a subject in a systematic way.

Subscription/səbˈskrɪpʃən/noun
An arrangement to receive something regularly often for a fee.

Communicated/kəˈmjunɪˌkeɪtɪd/verb
To share or exchange information or messages with others.

Identity/aɪˈdɛntɪti/noun
The characteristics or qualities that make a person or group different.

Criminal/ˈkrɪmɪnəl/adjective
Relating to crime or unlawful acts.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

Where were the authorities who closed down the Matrix messaging service from?
Netherlands and France
Germany and Italy
Spain and Portugal
Russia and Ukraine
How many messages did authorities look at regarding the Matrix app?
1.3 million
2.3 million
3.3 million
4.3 million
Where was the Matrix messaging app mainly used?
iPhone
Google Pixel
Samsung Galaxy
Huawei
How many servers worldwide did the Matrix app operate on?
20
30
40
50
How much did a six-month subscription to the Matrix app cost?
900 - 1,200 euros
1,300 - 1,600 euros
1,700 - 2,000 euros
2,100 - 2,400 euros
How many people have been arrested in relation to the Matrix messaging service?
One
Two
Three
Four
The Matrix messaging service was used by legal organizations worldwide.
Users of the Matrix app could join without an invitation.
The majority of users communicated in a single language on Matrix.
The app owner of Matrix is confirmed to be Spanish.
Matrix users could not make video calls through the app.
Authorities monitored the Matrix app for several years before taking action.
Matrix was used mainly on Google Pixel phones and cost between 1,300 and 1,600 euros for a subscription.
Many people communicated in different languages using Matrix.
The app was controlled from , and its owner is believed to be from Lithuania.
Authorities watched the app for months before discovering over 2.3 million .
Users of the Matrix app could only join if they were by someone.
Matrix was investigated after it was found in the car of a shooter during an attack on crime journalist Peter R. de Vries in .
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Authorities/əˈθɔrɪtiz/noun
Organizations or individuals with power or control in a specific area.
Investigating/ɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪtɪŋ/verb
The process of examining or inquiring into a subject in a systematic way.
Subscription/səbˈskrɪpʃən/noun
An arrangement to receive something regularly often for a fee.
Communicated/kəˈmjunɪˌkeɪtɪd/verb
To share or exchange information or messages with others.
Identity/aɪˈdɛntɪti/noun
The characteristics or qualities that make a person or group different.
Criminal/ˈkrɪmɪnəl/adjective
Relating to crime or unlawful acts.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

Where were the authorities who closed down the Matrix messaging service from?
Netherlands and France
Germany and Italy
Spain and Portugal
Russia and Ukraine
How many messages did authorities look at regarding the Matrix app?
1.3 million
2.3 million
3.3 million
4.3 million
Where was the Matrix messaging app mainly used?
iPhone
Google Pixel
Samsung Galaxy
Huawei
How many servers worldwide did the Matrix app operate on?
20
30
40
50
How much did a six-month subscription to the Matrix app cost?
900 - 1,200 euros
1,300 - 1,600 euros
1,700 - 2,000 euros
2,100 - 2,400 euros
How many people have been arrested in relation to the Matrix messaging service?
One
Two
Three
Four
The Matrix messaging service was used by legal organizations worldwide.
Users of the Matrix app could join without an invitation.
The majority of users communicated in a single language on Matrix.
The app owner of Matrix is confirmed to be Spanish.
Matrix users could not make video calls through the app.
Authorities monitored the Matrix app for several years before taking action.
Matrix was used mainly on Google Pixel phones and cost between 1,300 and 1,600 euros for a subscription.
Many people communicated in different languages using Matrix.
The app was controlled from , and its owner is believed to be from Lithuania.
Authorities watched the app for months before discovering over 2.3 million .
Users of the Matrix app could only join if they were by someone.
Matrix was investigated after it was found in the car of a shooter during an attack on crime journalist Peter R. de Vries in .
This question is required

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