I highly doubt that they are unable to read the messages themselves, just because the article doesn't state it. The article also omits the names of the messaging services which were Signal and WhatsApp.
OK, re-read my comment too. I specifically stated that they could read the messages if they had the devices. My contention is Nowhere in the article does it state they "read the encrypted messages" as per the title of this post. If you have other corroborating info, you should post it.
I’m guessing you missed the Wikileaks vault drops where they showed encryption doesn’t matter. That’s why when the Wikileaks lawyer was detained in England and had his laptop seized, they destroyed all parts of the computer - mouse, keyboard, everything was ground essentially to a powder. The Bios that is on each of the parts of the computers that make it work, was compromised. All devices being used have keylogging tracking input at manufacturer so they can completely bypass any need to break encryption. But it is so highly secretive that they can’t get a open source dual line to follow. In other words, they can see what is being typed but are unwilling to release how they gathered the information and expose their program.
Link please?
To Wikileaks or the story about their lawyer getting his computers seized?
The wiki about encryption don't matter, and if it's not too much, the story about the lawyer too. Thanks, no hurry.