A week after hundreds of criminals were arrested, thanks to evidence obtained through the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)-encrypted Anom messaging app, questions are being raised globally and locally about the future of crime-fighting in the age of technological advancement.

In a watershed moment that will no doubt change governments’ worldwide outlook on crime fighting for years to come, the Anom messaging app, which was secretly distributed to known criminals via the black market, was able to thwart the plans of criminal masterminds across countries.

After last week’s revelation of a successful sting operation which Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said had “struck a heavy blow against organised crime”, Our Today reached out to Professor Anthony Clayton, who in his capacity as an advisor on the development of CARICOM’s Crime and Security Strategy ‘Securing the Region’ as well as lead author of Jamaica’s 2014 National Security Policy, gave his opinion on the possibility of utilising similar technology in Jamaica’s crime-fighting strategy.

READ MORE: Hundreds caught in global sting op thanks to spy phones ‘in gangsters’ back pockets’

According to Clayton, who commented on the excellent work of the various authorities that worked together to carry out a successful sting operation, it is fair to assume that operations such as this one will be the way of the future.

He said: “I suspect that we will see more operations like this one.”

The professor noted however that, as is customary of such operations, it should be expected that since one side – in this case the FBI – has done something to get ahead of their criminal counterparts, the counterparts will “in return develop their own form of protection or a counter measure”.

He stated: “You change your operation and the other side will also do the same. (The nature of crime fighting) never gets too stable.”

He continued: “You change your operation to get an advantage over the other side and it’s a bit like that here (in Jamaica) so while the technology is advancing, bad guys (are constantly) trying to outdo you with new applications and trying to stay ahead.”

As a result, Clayton stated, though “this new app is great, it won’t just stop the bad guys. They won’t just go home and give up”.

He added: “They are going to find another means to do what they need to and it won’t take them long to regroup, recruit and recover.”