WhatsApp has joined rival Signal and five other messaging apps in opposing a bill pending in the UK that directly hits end-to-end encryption systems. In the proposal, the government asks for access to users’ messages as a way to fight crimes and, mainly, child abuse, while companies claim that the breach of this protection system represents a serious risk to privacy.
The so-called Online Security Law is criticized in the positioning for not bringing protections to citizens and for, if implemented, enabling a proactive reading of any message exchanged through the applications. Thus, the letter points out, the very concept of end-to-end encryption would be defeated, since the exchanges would no longer be restricted to who sent and received the communication, which could also involve audio, video and images. In addition to WhatsApp and Signal, the text was signed by representatives of Element, Threema, Viber, Wire and Session.
The opposition goes further, also pointing out risks of government espionage and opening doors for tracking critics, dissidents, activists and even politicians themselves. In addition, the fear is about the use of official mechanisms being used in attacks or scams against users of the platforms, with the bill being cited as an “unprecedented threat to the security and privacy of UK citizens”.
The open letter also directly criticizes the government’s intended method, called “client-side scanning” and involving the adoption of measures by phone manufacturers and operators so that messages can be intercepted directly on cell phones. While privacy activists point out that this is equivalent to installing spyware on the device, the applications point out that it is simply not possible to allow this use without completely invalidating the protection provided by end-to-end encryption.
Above all, the apps claim not to be able to modify their security safeguards to suit the requests of a particular country, as the internet is not separate from the rest of the world. The request is for laws to be passed in favor of greater privacy protection, not the other way around, with WhatsApp having already stated that it would stop operating in the UK if the Online Safety Act is put into effect.
Combating crime and abuse
According to government spokespersons, the bill is not aimed at spying or breaching users’ privacy, but rather as a way to combat organized crime and child abuse through the platform. The capture of messages, according to the government, would be done in a timely manner and only when other investigative measures are not possible.
The administration goes further, pointing out that it is the moral duty of internet companies to fight crimes of this type, instead of shielding themselves behind security. The idea, the UK representative told the local press, is not to ban cryptography, but to ensure that it is not used to hide misdeeds.
The main focus is on child abuse, with platforms now required by law to act against groups and users if such a crime is detected. The idea is to find a balance and, also, ways to obtain information about the cases without breaking the encryption, with the argument of companies being labeled as outdated for jeopardizing the security of the little ones in favor of the privacy of adults.
Source: Element, The Guardian
