Internet security makes snooping hard, governments complain | What's Left

Governments aren't pleased that internet security has improved in recent months. In a bizarre suspension of all reason, security agencies and conservative leadership in the United States and in the United Kingdom have called for an end to encrypted communications.

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They continue to argue that they need to be able to capture, catalog, and search through all electronic communications in order to protect the public.

In response, some of the smartest civil liberties advocates and security engineers have stated that such a development would significantly alter the internet as we know it – compromising government, bank, and commercial security. It would also expose any and all private information stored online, including health records and human resources information.

Encrypted information is the backbone of so much that happens today, and is essential for any online activity that requires a level of trust. Without encryption, no electronic information will be secure, including from those who may use it for criminal purposes.

Mechanisms already exist for the government to investigate and pursue charges against those engaged in criminal activities online. The police aren’t allowed to enter your house without a warrant and they shouldn’t be able to monitor your bank accounts and personal communications without one either.

More: The Risks of Mandating Backdoors in Encryption Products

More: [[https://citizenspress.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27d7d00e19a37005743125d7e&id=8ef1982855&e=8484a6ba75][The End of Encryption? NSA & FBI Seek New Backdoors Against Advice from Leading Security Experts]]