RTFri, 05 May 2017 16:09 UTC
© IB Times UKEnd-to-end encryption...thing of the past?
The British government is seeking new powers to remove encryption and force phone networks and internet service providers (ISPs) to give real-time access to a named individual's content within one working day. 'Secondary data' relating to any suspect would also have to be handed over.
The draft paper, which was leaked to digital freedom campaigners Open Rights Group, could be made law and included as part of the
much-criticized Investigatory Powers Act.
"The public has a right to know about government powers that could put their privacy and security at risk," said the group's executive director, Jim Killock, on the decision to publish details of the white paper.
Currently intelligence services can only surveil one in every 10,000 users of a given service at a time. Simultaneous surveillance could occur in bulk, but be limited to one in every 10,000 users of a given service - a maximum of roughly 900 of telecoms giant BT's 9 million British broadband customers, for instance.
Experts think the plans could be dangerous and would potentially give hackers 'backdoor' access to users' information. Many would
not be aware that their details had been shared with the authorities, as the Investigatory Powers Act - dubbed the snoopers' charter by critics - demands that telecom groups carry out their work in secret.
"It seems very clear that the
Home Office intends to use these to remove end-to-end encryption - or more accurately to require tech companies to remove it," University of Bristol legal expert Dr Cian Murphy told the BBC. "I do read the regulations as the Home Office wanting to be able to have near real-time access to web chat and other forms of communication."
The measures would have to be
sanctioned by government officials and a judge appointed by Prime Minister Theresa May. Consultation on the paper is reportedly due to end on May 19, but the
Home Office denied any attempts to expand the Investigatory Powers Act were taking place.
The government has no legal obligation to advise on draft regulations such as the white paper leaked to Open Rights Group. But the document seems to suggest that the regulations have already been seen by Britain's Technical Advisory Board. A British Telecom (BT) spokesman also
confirmed the company had received "a copy of draft regulations, to be made under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, in relation to technical capability notices."
Comment: Privacy: freedom from observation, freedom from disturbance, freedom from interference... Note how freedom and privacy are joined at the hip? Lose one, you likely lose both.
enhancing their powers. If it wasn't for the U.S. they would have been turned to dust by now. Everybody hates them except the French and for a damned good reason. All the electricity in the
U.K. comes from France. And after extortion practices they forced the Norwegians to sell them natural gas for heating. They murdered Diana, leaving her to bleed for an hour and a half in that ambulance.The French are selling them other stuff too. Basically except BS the U.K. is producing virtually nothing. London : The center of International mafia. I'm never setting foot on that country again, ever. Number one gay country in the world. Sorry HFL.