Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by Fnord666 on Sunday June 28 2020, @12:41AM   Printer-friendly
from the that's-not-how-this-works dept.

Graham, Cotton Introduce Yet Another Attempt to Torpedo Encryption

Graham, Cotton introduce yet another attempt to torpedo encryption:

On Tuesday, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced yet another bill attempting to poke holes in data encryption, called the Lawful Access To Encrypted Data Act. This bill follows previous US efforts to weaken encryption, including March's proposed EARN IT Act and demands made by US Attorney General William Barr in his 2019 keynote address at the International Conference on Cyber Security.

A press release from the Senate Judiciary Committee—which is chaired by Graham—describes the bill as "a balanced solution that keeps in mind the constitutional rights afforded to all Americans, while providing law enforcement the tools needed to protect the public from everyday violent crime and threats to our national security." It goes on to emphasize—in both bold and italic text—that the bill would "only" require service providers to grant law enforcement a back door after a court issues a warrant.

Graham expresses his personal position in strong terms:

Terrorists and criminals routinely use technology, whether smartphones, apps, or other means, to coordinate and communicate [...] tech companies have refused to honor [court orders] and assist law enforcement in their investigations. My position is clear: After law enforcement obtains the necessary court authorizations, they should be able to retrieve information to assist in their investigations. Our legislation respects and protects the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans.

Unfortunately, as is typical for these resolutions, Graham's expressed ideas don't adhere to technological reality. In order for a service provider to "honor and assist" law enforcement investigations in the way Graham demands, it would necessarily—and fatally—have to compromise the very encryption it offered in the first place. This would apply to every consumer the provider services (American or otherwise), whether a warrant were issued or not.

Encryption doesn't work that way

Senate Republicans Target Encryption With Bill Aimed at Apple, Facebook, Other Tech Giants

Senate Republicans target encryption with bill aimed at Apple, Facebook, other tech giants:

Sens. Lindsay Graham (South Carolina), Tom Cotton (Arkansas) and Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) introduced the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, which would put an end to what they called "warrant-proof" encryption.

"My position is clear: After law enforcement obtains the necessary court authorizations, they should be able to retrieve information to assist in their investigations," Graham, who is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. "Our legislation respects and protects the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans. It also puts the terrorists and criminals on notice that they will no longer be able to hide behind technology to cover their tracks."

[...] The bill is targeted at companies like Facebook and Apple, which have repeatedly defended their stances by saying they have an obligation to protect the billions of innocent citizens who trust the encryption embedded in their devices and apps to shield their information from public exposure. The tech companies fear that if they provide investigators with a back door past encryption, they'll open up an avenue for bad actors to exploit the entryway.

"End-to-end encryption is a necessity in modern life – it protects billions of messages sent every day on many apps and services, especially in times like these when we can't be together," Facebook said in a statement, according to CNET. "Rolling back this vital protection will make us all less safe, not more. We are committed to continuing to work with law enforcement and fighting abuse while preserving the ability for all Americans to communicate privately and securely."

Senators Introduce "Balanced" Bill That Aims to End Warrant-Proof Encryption

Senators Introduce "Balanced" Bill That Aims to End Warrant-Proof Encryption:

Republican senators have introduced what they have described as a "balanced" bill that would require technology companies to give law enforcement agencies access to encrypted user data.

Authorities in the United States and other countries have long tried to convince — an in some cases force — tech companies to develop and use encryption that would allow law enforcement to access encrypted data if needed. Experts have argued that adding backdoors to encryption systems would also allow malicious actors to abuse those backdoors, thus defeating the purpose of strong encryption.

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) are making another attempt with a new bill introduced on Tuesday, which they have named the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act.

They claim the goal of the bill is to "bolster national security interests and better protect communities across the country by ending the use of 'warrant-proof' encrypted technology by terrorists and other bad actors to conceal illicit behavior."

The officials believe that while encryption is "vital" for securing data, communications and financial transactions, law enforcement should be given access to the information they seek if they present a warrant.

[...] On the other hand, security and privacy experts who support the use of end-to-end encryption provide journalists, activists, whistleblowers and members of persecuted groups as examples of individuals for whom strong encryption is crucial.

[...] The Attorney General would be allowed to ask companies to report on their ability to comply with court orders, but it's prohibited from forcing vendors to use specific technical methods.

Moreover, the government would compensate companies for their compliance and the Attorney General would create a prize competition to reward those who create a solution that maximizes privacy and security while allowing lawful access to encrypted data.


Original Submission #1Original Submission #2Original Submission #3

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 4, Funny) by PinkyGigglebrain on Sunday June 28 2020, @01:53AM (1 child)

    by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Sunday June 28 2020, @01:53AM (#1013513)

    Lawful Access To Encrypted Data Act

    La Te Da?

    wasn't that the lyrics to a song long ago?

    --
    "Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +2  
       Funny=2, Total=2
    Extra 'Funny' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   4  
  • (Score: 3, Funny) by SemperOSS on Sunday June 28 2020, @07:40AM

    by SemperOSS (5072) on Sunday June 28 2020, @07:40AM (#1013600)

    I actually read it as the LATE Data Act, as in deceased Data Act … Obviously, it could also be that it is just like they missed the boat late.

    Who knows?


    --
    I don't need a signature to draw attention to myself.
    Maybe I should add a sarcasm warning now and again?