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Snoopers' Charter Could Mean Trouble For UK Users of Encryption-Capable Apps

Posted by timothy on from the for-the-likes-of-you dept.

An anonymous reader writes with a story at IB Times that speculates instant messaging apps which enable encrypted communications (including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger and iMessage) could be banned in the UK under the so-called Snooper's Charter now under consideration. The extent of the powers that the government would claim under the legislation is not yet clear, but as the linked article says, it "would allow security services like the Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ, and MI5, or Military Intelligence Section 5, to access instant messages sent between people to and from the country," and evidently "would give the government right to ban instant messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption." That might sound outlandish, but reflects a popular and politically safe sentiment: "'In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which we cannot read? My answer to that question is: "No, we must not,"' [Prime Minister] Cameron said earlier this year following the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris."

4 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. The end of on-line banking and shopping by paul_metcalfe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I guess if I can't encrypt communications between myself and my bank, because the government can't see that I'm not talking about terrorist plans, I should stop on-line banking altogether, and just go back to paper, as it's more secure that way.

    I sure as hell won't be giving any sites my credit card details if I can't encrypt them. No crypto, or easily defeated crypto means that ANYONE, not just the "good guys" can read my traffic.

    --
    Always read at -1, don't let others decide what you should and should not read.
  2. They have no intent to ban Whatsapp and others ... by whoever57 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They know that a ban on Whatsapp would be immensely unpopular and would make millions of people realize how stupid their drive against encryption is.

    Instead, their intent is to force Whatsapp and others to voluntarily hand over the communications of their users, much like Blackberry (reportedly) agreed to do for countries with regressive regimes.

    --
    The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
  3. Not a Call for Insurrection at all! by Anna+Merikin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    (D)o we want to allow a means of communication between people which we cannot read? My answer to that question is: "No, we must not,"

    Just ten or twenty years ago a sitting politician saying this in a "democracy" and expecting to keep his job would be unthinkable.

  4. What kind of phone does Cameron use? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between politicians which we the citizens cannot read? My answer to that question is: No, we must not.