Encryption Barrier Unable to Hide Criminal Activities Asserted by EU Home Affairs Commissioner
In Brussels news:
EU Internal Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson is pushing for investigative authorities to break the codes on encrypted communication, arguing that it's not right for "horrific crimes" to fester in the digital realm unchecked. "What's illegal in the real world should be illegal online," she stated boldly.
Johansson endorses a commission-led proposal, which suggests that encrypted data must be shared if automated technology flags potential criminal activity. This approach, she claims, focuses on bombshell detection rather than intercepting personal communications.
On Wednesday, Johansson will unveil her "Against Terrorism" manifesto in Brussels. In a chat with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," she emphasized the need for improved data exchange among states, even suggesting a collective database housing all known foreign terrorists.
Moreover, she proposed that Europol, the European police office, should be granted direct access to data from internet platforms if they suspect child abuse or terrorism. This mandate extension would enable Europol to act as a conduit, especially in cases where determining the criminal jurisdiction is tricky.
Critics, however, have voiced concerns over this proposal. Cybersecurity experts, privacy enthusiasts, and tech providers warn that any means to access encrypted messages or weaken encryption undermines the security and privacy of communications for everyone concerned. The fear is that this approach could ultimately make us all less safe.
Other policy-and-legislation proposals, such as Johansson's "Against Terrorism" manifesto, often spur intense debate in the realm of politics and general-news. For instance, her suggestion for a collective database housing all known foreign terrorists and Europol's proposed access to encrypted data from internet platforms has been met with opposition from cybersecurity experts, privacy enthusiasts, and tech providers, who argue that such measures could compromise the general safety and privacy of communication for everyone.
