{"id":13456,"date":"2023-08-11T13:22:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T13:22:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1398961"},"modified":"2023-08-11T13:22:53","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T13:22:53","slug":"uks-promise-to-protect-encrypted-messaging-is-delusional-say-critics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=13456","title":{"rendered":"UK\u2019s promise to protect encrypted messaging is \u2018delusional,\u2019 say critics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The British government\u2019s promise to protect encryption has been pilloried by security experts and libertarians.<\/p>\n

The dispute stems from a section of the Online Safety Bill<\/a>. Under the legislation, messaging apps would be forced to provide access to private communications when requested by the regulator Ofcom. <\/span><\/p>\n

Proponents say the measures will combat child abuse, but critics are aghast about the threat to privacy. They fear the plans will facilitate mass surveillance and damage the UK\u2019s tech sector. Signal<\/span>, Whatsapp<\/a>, and five other messaging apps have all threatened<\/a> to leave the country if the law is passed.<\/p>\n

The British government has sought to allay their concerns. On Thursday, technology minister <\/span>Michelle Donelan said the government is \u201cnot anti-encryption\u201d and will protect user privacy<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTechnology is in development to enable you to have encryption as well as to be able to access this particular information, and the safety mechanism that we have is very explicit that this can only be used for child exploitation and abuse,\u201d Donelan told the BBC<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her remarks were quickly lambasted by critics. Matthew Hodgson, CEO of secure messaging app Element \u2014 which is used by the government\u2019s own Ministry of Defense \u2014 described Donelan\u2019s<\/span> claims as \u201cfactually incorrect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo technology exists which allows encryption AND access to \u2018this particular information.\u2019 Detecting illegal content means ALL content must be scanned in the first place,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to these concerns, the government\u2019s cybersecurity chiefs argue they can protect both children and privacy. To do this, they propose using client-side scanning, which involves installing software that detects suspicious activity. Many experts, however, argue<\/a> that this tech is impossible to build.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot turn scanning on and off,\u201d Hodgson said. \u201cThe government still does not understand how technology or encryption works, despite numerous experts explaining this to them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIts own \u2018Safety Tech Challenge Fund\u2019 failed to deliver an impossible solution to scan messages without breaking encryption. What more will it take for the government to finally accept how encryption works?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tech firms are not alone in opposing the plans.  Civil rights groups and libertarians have also denounced Donelan\u2019s comments.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Michelle
<\/i><\/a>Michelle Donelan was appointed to lead the new department for science, innovation, and technology in February.<\/figcaption>