Tech Firms Warn Government Plans Could Lead To ‘indiscriminate Surveillance

WhatsApp and other secure messaging apps have sounded the alarm about an "unprecedented threat" to UK citizens and the people they interact with.

This is the latest warning from WhatsApp, Signal and others about the UK's planned internet safety bill. The law is meant to protect people online, but security experts warn that parts of the bill could leave apps vulnerable to message-secure technology.

Therefore, according to the new open letter, the law "poses an unprecedented threat to the privacy, security and protection of all UK citizens and those who communicate around the world."

The letter is addressed to “everyone who cares about online security and privacy” and is signed not only by the executives of WhatsApp, but also by the executives of Signal, Viber, Element, OPTF/Session, Threema and Wire.

“Private messages are private,” wrote WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart in another tweet. "We oppose proposals to scan people's private messages and are proud to stand up for encryption and your right to privacy along with other applications."

Cathcart has repeatedly suggested that WhatsApp may be forced to shut down its service to UK citizens because it refuses to comply with rules requiring more security. Signal and other apps have said they will take the same stance.

“As an end-to-end encrypted communication service, we call on the UK government to address the risks that internet security legislation poses to everyone’s privacy and security,” the letter begins. "It's not too late to ensure that the bill is consistent with the government's stated intent to protect end-to-end encryption and respect human rights to privacy."

The government says the bill is not intended to limit end-to-end encryption. But critics and messaging apps argue that the law should be written more specifically to prevent it from being used in this way.

End-to-end encryption is a technology used in apps like WhatsApp to ensure that only the sender and recipient of a message can read it. This means third parties cannot intercept the message, blocking messaging platforms as well as law enforcement and hackers.

Messaging apps have raised concerns that the new law could force regulator Ofcom to scan messages to ensure that illegal content, such as child abuse images, is not shared on their platforms. But security experts say it's necessary to weaken everyone's security because it's impossible to break the encryption of certain messages.

“In its current form, the bill could abolish end-to-end encryption, opening the door to routine and indiscriminate surveillance of the private communications of friends, family members, employees, executives, journalists, human rights activists, and even politicians. Significantly undermines everyone's ability to communicate safely,” the letter says.

“The bill does not explicitly protect encryption, and if passed as written, Ofcom could attempt to force scans of private messages on end-to-end encrypted communications services, thereby defeating the purpose of end-to-end encryption. extreme consequences. The consequences for the privacy of all users are a threat.”

He concludes by calling on the government to rewrite the bill. While WhatsApp and other services have not threatened to suspend operations unless the accounts are changed, they have made it clear on numerous occasions that they can do so.

“The UK government urgently needs to review the bill, amend it so that businesses can provide residents with more privacy and protection, not less. Weakening encryption, undermining privacy and introducing mass surveillance of people's private messages is not an option.”

Hindu News & Editorial October 28, 2021 | Mr Subhendra #UPSC @PathfinderUPSC