'The EU is trying to create a backdoor for crypto services,' warns the developers of crypto services such as ProtonMail.
The EU must protect the right to privacy and not attack end-to-end encryption
https://protonmail.com/blog/joint-statement-eu-encryption/
The EU is moving towards strict control of end-to-end encryption, and ProtonMail and Europe-based end-to-end encryption services such as Threema, Tresorit, etc. Companies such as Tutanota have issued a joint statement.
In a joint statement, companies are urging them to reconsider the ' encryption and security solution ' proposed by EU policy makers on January 28, 2021. Regarding the new bill submitted to the EU board on the 28th, the statement said, 'The new bill will provide a backdoor for end-to-end encryption services, and if it does, millions of people's basic rights. It also threatens and undermines the global shift towards the adoption of end-to-end encryption. '
In addition, the statement said, 'Although not explicitly stated in the resolution, it is widely known that this proposal seeks to allow law enforcement agencies access to encrypted platforms through backdoors. However, this solution is fundamentally misleading. Encryption is absolute, data is either encrypted or unencrypted, and a backdoor is installed. If you do, the encrypted meaning will be lost. Also, if you put in a backdoor, the privacy of the user will be lost. It is understandable that law enforcement agencies want to have a powerful tool to fight crime. However, the proposal is like law enforcement getting the keys to the homes of all citizens. There is also the danger of a major invasion of personal privacy, 'he said. It states that it is unacceptable.
In addition, 2020 was a year in which many people moved to remote work due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus. As a result, tens of millions of individuals and businesses are paying more attention to security such as end-to-end encryption.
In fact, after concerns that 'WhatsApp shares all data with Facebook,' the popular messaging app WhatsApp has experienced massive user churn, including Telegram, a messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption. There was a turmoil that Signal greatly increased the number of users.
Why is there a huge user churn with the messaging app WhatsApp? --GIGAZINE
'In many cases, European companies are helping to enhance privacy,' ProtonMail and colleagues argue, citing cases where users are becoming more interested in their privacy worldwide. 'This is illogical, as the EU's push for a new bill would undermine the growing European technology sector (encryption-related),' he said.
In addition, ProtonMail CEO Andy Yen said that there have been numerous proceedings for the installation of backdoors for cryptographic services, and similar discussions will continue. And the new bill is 'unlike in the past, it was drafted with the words'ban'and'backdoor' clearly avoided. This was definitely intentional,' said Yen. Pointed out. He explains why the four companies have issued a joint statement that they need to respond quickly to these bills in order to maintain their position in Europe ahead of other countries by enhancing privacy.
The four companies are 'fighting at the forefront of a revolution in technology and data protection,' and the EU's installation of a backdoor is like undermining the end-to-end encryption at the heart of the battle. Claimed. He points out that such weakening can be abused by third parties and criminals, leading to the risk of threatening all users.
'Forcing European vendors to bypass or deliberately weaken end-to-end encryption not only destroys the economy of European IT startups, but also adds a few,' said Martin Blatter, CEO of Threema. It will also be unable to provide security, and installing backdoors will join the world's most notorious surveillance nations, wastefully abandoning Europe's unique competitiveness and turning privacy into a wilderness. '.
There is a good chance that user data will be misused even if the service has end-to-end encryption, such as the turmoil that occurred when WhatsApp's privacy policy changed. That's why ProtonMail, Threema, Tresorit, and Tutanota are working not only to protect communications with end-to-end encryption, but also to protect user data by keeping their privacy policies transparent.
Related Posts:
