Security News > 2022 > February > Privacy and computer security are too important to be left to political meddling

If the British government fails to persuade the tech titans to back away from implementing end-to-end encryption in messaging apps then its next tactic will be to try to mobilize public opinion against it by claiming the technology puts society in moral peril.

The public probably doesn't like the idea of abusers hiding behind encryption, but many folks are equally suspicious of the government's motives.

Facebook doesn't trust governments, fearing that by agreeing to create E2EE backdoors it risks becoming an arm of state surveillance.

This is how encryption has been sold to them for decades - it creates absolute mathematical certainty that protects them from their rivals, from criminals, from nation states, and yes, from government interference.

In arguing to bypass E2EE, the British government appears to want to set itself up as the ultimate arbiter on where and when privacy and security should apply.

Imagine living in a world in which governments control privacy and security.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/02/17/encryption_debate_against2_thurs/