Signal And WhatsApp Join Forces To Oppose Online Safety Legislation

(CTN News) – Signal and WhatsApp have united in a rare show of unity to protest the UK’s online safety bill, which they say could undermine privacy and security.

According to an open letter signed by the heads of both organisations and five other encrypted chat apps, the bill could effectively outlaw end-to-end encryption, which prevents anyone but the intended recipient from seeing the contents of a message.

Despite not providing explicit encryption protection, the bill could allow Ofcom to force private messages scanning on end-to-end encrypted communication services if implemented as written. This would eliminate WhatsApp’s end-end encryption, while compromising user privacy.

In the government’s view, the bill poses an unprecedented threat to the privacy, safety, and security of all British citizens and their contacts throughout the world. It also emboldens hostile governments to pass the same type of legislation.”

According to Will Cathcart, WhatsApp’s chief, the app is leaving the UK rather than weakening its encryption.

He told the Guardian that 98 percent of his users reside outside the UK. As a straightforward matter, lowering the security of the product in a way that affects those 98% of users would be an odd choice for us.”

This dispute revolves around clauses allowing Ofcom to compel communication providers to protect users. Privacy campaigners say those clauses do not allow encrypted messaging providers to take such actions without fundamentally undermining the security of their users.

It is possible to surf everyone’s messages and not undermine end-to-end encryption, say proponents who claim encryption and privacy are important. Sadly, that’s not possible,” reads the letter.

During previous debates over encryption, opponents called for the banning of such services or for government access to encrypted communications.

Proponents argue that client side scanning can be used to WhatsApp monitor encrypted communications without breaching security – but critics say it amounts to spying on every phone in the world with robots.

According to a spokesperson for No 10, the criticism was unfounded. It is our belief that technology companies have a moral obligation to ensure that they do not blind themselves and law enforcement to unprecedented levels of child sexual abuse. We support the use of strong encryption. According to them, there can be no compromise when it comes to public safety.

In no way does it imply a ban on WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, nor does it require services to weaken encryption. Private communications will not be routinely scanned. Only use this power when necessary. Whether other measures are not possible.”

“The online safety bill is still being scrutinized in depth by the NSPCC, a British child protection charity, and it will be a legal requirement for platforms to identify and disrupt child sexual abuse that occurs on their sites and services. As a result, we see it as a legal requirement.

End-to-end encrypted WhatsApp environments can combat kidnapping and grooming. It is imperative that regulation encourages tech companies to reach a balanced solution and distance themselves from tired false arguments that claim children’s fundamental right to safety online can only be achieved on the backs of adults.”

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