UK Prime Minister wants to ban encrypted messaging

[Looch City]

Yup, you heard that right. In wake of current events, David Cameron wants to ban WhatsApp/iMessage/SnapChat/BBM because you know...safety (minus freedom) and such.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...s-9973035.html

The Prime Minister said today that he would stop the use of methods of communication that cannot be read by the security services even if they have a warrant. But that could include popular chat and social apps that encrypt their data, such as WhatsApp.

He said: “In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which […] we cannot read?” He made the connection between encrypted communications tools and letters and phone conversations, both of which can be read by security services in extreme situations and with a warrant from the home secretary.

Best of luck to you Mr. Prime Minister, might as well ban terrorism while you're at it.

[jayswin]

This is pretty standard now a days.

Step 1; Terrorist Act

Step 2; We need to take away freedom X because....terrorists!

[Krovikan]

So they are following the US lead, there was a time when OpenBSD has had issues with export to the US due to similar encryption laws.

[afc wimbledon]

Yep in 1939 to '45 250,000 Brits, including my uncle, died to defend our freedom from a police state.
Makes perfect sense to give them up after a few dozen deaths now.

[Thor]

Depressing.

[Resolute 14]

So does the director of the FBI.

[blueski]

He is trolling for publicity or he is inept. Take your pick. It will never become a law.

[AcGold]

Just wait until there's a cyber attack that effects a few hundred million people. Goodbye technological privacy, I give it 14 months until we start seeing a shift.

[Azure]

I actually like this. Its apps like Whatsapp are encrypted enough to give the government headaches. Otherwise he wouldn't be requesting access.

[puckedoff]

No encryption? Maybe Sony will move their headquarters there. I'm sure shareholders would be pleased.

[Bunk]

He said: “In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which […] we cannot read?” He made the connection between encrypted communications tools and letters and phone conversations, both of which can be read by security services in extreme situations and with a warrant from the home secretary.

How about talking face-to-face. No more of that. Can't read and store it.

[Huntingwhale]

A world without snapchat is a better place.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Azure

I actually like this. Its apps like Whatsapp are encrypted enough to give the government headaches. Otherwise he wouldn't be requesting access.

He shouldn't be getting access without requesting it in the first place.

[Looch City]

"You have nothing to fear if you don't have anything to hide."

[Locke]

Modern day Britain would be Stalin's favourite amusement park.

"What do you mean you can watch everyone on video all the time, listen to everything they say to each other and read everything they text??"

[NuclearPizzaMan]

Did the Brits use up all their spine during WW2? It certainly feels that way lately.

[blueski]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

"You have nothing to fear if you don't have anything to hide."

To paraphrase Bruce Schneier, The problem with that statement is that it characterizes the debate as security versus privacy. The real choice is liberty versus control.

In the USA, there are over 27000 criminal laws. It is impossible to know if you have never violated any of them. With access to every communication an individual has ever had it would be easy to find unlawful conduct on most anyone.

Constant monitoring will stifle free speech which is essential for democracy.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

He shouldn't be getting access without requesting it in the first place.

True, but up till a while ago, Whatsapp had no encryption at all. Now they have end to end encryption for their Android app, and I guess that bothers the government who won't have easy access to that data anymore.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Azure

True, but up till a while ago, Whatsapp had no encryption at all. Now they have end to end encryption for their Android app, and I guess that bothers the government who won't have easy access to that data anymore.

And what's wrong with that? People have a right to keep their conversations private. It's only because of recent technology we're only used to the fact it isn't private anymore.

Not to mention the companies and organizations that absolutely NEED encryption.

Leaders aren't even afraid of saying we shouldn't talk in private anymore. That's how bad this has got in such a short time.

EDIT: To add, the world isn't that dangerous a place. In fact, it's as safe as it ever was, despite the horrific nature of recent events. But governments around the world have become addicted (there's really no better word) to having this level of information.

[vanisleflamesfan]

If you're not doing anything wrong... you have nothing to fear... he he... *Typical CP response*