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posted by martyb on Saturday August 01 2020, @10:05AM   Printer-friendly
from the elections-are-coming-up-soon-vs-PGP dept.

Bill Aimed at Ending 'Warrant-Proof' Encryption Introduced in House:

Referred to as the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, the bill aims to put a stop to criminals using “warrant-proof encryption and other technological advances” to hide their activity from authorities, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), who introduced the bill, said.

“It is time tech companies stand with criminal investigators and the public to make clear they are committed to rooting out perpetrators who use their services to commit horrific crimes. As the digital world advances, so must our legislative solutions to investigate crimes that hit hardest the most vulnerable in our society,” Rep. Wagner commented.

Law enforcement agencies have long argued that strong encryption hinders their ability to conduct successful investigations in certain cases, often asking for backdoors that would provide them fast access to data of interest, but tech companies have opposed these requests, arguing that backdoors would introduce serious security and privacy risks.

The legislation would require tech companies to provide authorities with access to encrypted user data, while also stating that the Attorney General would report on which companies can comply. Furthermore, the government would offer compensation to companies that comply with the legislation.

Previously:
(2020-07-07) US Senate Panel OK's EARN IT Act
(2020-06-27) Senators Introduce "Balanced" Bill That Aims to End Warrant-Proof Encryption
(2020-06-11) Plundering of Crypto Keys From Ultrasecure SGX Sends Intel Scrambling Again
(2020-06-06) Zoom Says Free Users Won't Get End-to-End Encryption so FBI and Police Can Access Calls
(2020-05-19) AG Barr Seeks 'Legislative Solution' to Make Companies Unlock Phones
(2020-05-19) FBI Successfully Broke Into a Gunman's iPhone, but Still Very Angry at Apple


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  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by Tokolosh on Saturday August 01 2020, @03:18PM (2 children)

    by Tokolosh (585) on Saturday August 01 2020, @03:18PM (#1029853)

    The government has previously banned the export of encryption technology, on the basis of arms control. I thereby assert my right to encryption under the 2nd Amendment.

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  • (Score: 3, Informative) by istartedi on Saturday August 01 2020, @05:00PM (1 child)

    by istartedi (123) on Saturday August 01 2020, @05:00PM (#1029894) Journal

    I like the cut of your jib. Back in the late 90s, when the little form popped up that asked for your name and location I'd always put in "Hafez the Enforcer" from "Baghdad, AL" because Baghdad, Iraq wasn't available on the form. I always got my 128-bit encryption, no problem. It was my little protest against the insanity of trying to ban "export" of something that could be "shipped" overseas as soon as ONE GUY downloaded it off the Internet. While the FBI was doing this stupidity, the real terrorists were busy getting IDs from the Virginia DMV, and teaching themselves how to fly... but not how to land. :(.

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    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 01 2020, @06:43PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 01 2020, @06:43PM (#1029929)

      Is still landing!

      It's the intent to land that matters! :)