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If the cops and Feds can't read people's encrypted messages, you will install backdoors for us, regardless of the security hit, US Attorney General William Barr has told the technology world.
While speaking today in New York, Barr demanded eavesdropping mechanisms be added to consumer-level software and devices, mechanisms that can be used by investigators to forcibly decrypt and pry into strongly end-to-end encrypted chats, emails, files, and calls. No ifs, no buts.
And while this will likely weaken secure data storage and communications – by introducing backdoors that hackers and spies, as well as the cops and FBI, can potentially leverage to snoop on folks – it will be a price worth paying. And, after all, what do you really need that encryption for? Your email and selfies?
"We are not talking about protecting the nation's nuclear launch codes," Barr told the International Conference on Cyber Security at Fordham University. "Nor are we necessarily talking about the customized encryption used by large business enterprises to protect their operations. We are talking about consumer products and services such as messaging, smart phones, email, and voice and data applications. There have been enough dogmatic pronouncements that lawful access simply cannot be done. It can be, and it must be."
Related: DOJ: Strong Encryption That We Don't Have Access to is "Unreasonable"
FBI Director Calls Encryption a "Major Public Safety Issue"
FBI Director: Without Compromise on Encryption, Legislation May be the 'Remedy'
Five Eyes Governments Get Even Tougher on Encryption
Australia Set to Pass Controversial Encryption Law
FBI: End-to-End Encryption Problem "Infects" Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community
(Score: 5, Insightful) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Thursday July 25 2019, @01:56PM (5 children)
Now I can demand his resignation for being stupid as well as disrespecting liberty. I doubt that has a chance of succeeding, but I can dream.
This sig for rent.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 25 2019, @02:52PM
I demand that somebody punch this twat (William Barr) in the face
(Score: 5, Insightful) by ikanreed on Thursday July 25 2019, @03:19PM (3 children)
To be fair, this has been the standard line of like the last 12 attorneys general.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Thursday July 25 2019, @04:15PM (2 children)
True, but the standard line before has also been to respect when industry Yodaizes, "Encrypt. Or encrypt not. There is no 'partial'." Complaining about it is one thing, and I understand the challenge this makes. Demanding change like a three year old is something new.
This sig for rent.
(Score: 4, Informative) by ikanreed on Thursday July 25 2019, @04:56PM
Well, it's new in this particular venue of politics, it's not exactly new for the administration at large.
(Score: 3, Informative) by DannyB on Thursday July 25 2019, @07:29PM
This particular administration seems to specialize in three year old tantrums, and I'll hold the country's breath until I get my weigh.
The people who rely on government handouts and refuse to work should be kicked out of congress.