> you can already tell from the metadata who is talking to whom, which is everything a government needs to get warrants, seize devices, and install surveillance devices.

The standard for probable cause has sharply declined in this scenario you’ve constructed.

And you’re assuming that the government will seize the device, install surveillance software and the criminals will continue to use those devices? I don’t see how.

Even if the government has access to remote takeovers using unpatched zero days, those are not used on local investigations.