We told you before that’s there is no real debate over encryption. Cyber security experts know that you can’t break it without creating huge security risks and eliminating most forms of secrecy, which is essential for free speech.
That’s what our Erka Koivunen told them members of the United Kingdom’s Parliament debating the draft Investigatory Powers bill also known as the “Snoopers’ Charter” in December.
But do governments even want to hear what the experts — or anyone outside of the intelligence community — has to say about encryption?
In the U.S., influential members of the Senate want to bypass a proposed commission to study encryption and move straight to passing a bill that could break it.
“I don’t think a commission is necessarily the right thing when you know what the problem is. And we know what the problem is,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said.
Why? Government’s want the access to encrypted communications and are willing to risk the vulnerabilities this will create for its citizens.
We’re trying to draw attention to this rush to break encryption that’s happening fast, relying on the very understandable fear of terrorism, without the public’s awareness of the potential consequences.
This January 28 is Data Privacy Day. It’s backed by the Cyber Security Alliance, which works with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security along with other private sector partners. We’re hoping to “hack” into attention around the day to make sure governments know that we do care about preserving privacy.
To mark it Erka will be doing an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit at 10 AM EST/ 5 PM EET answering any questions you have about encryption, cyber security and the pressures governments feel around the globe. You can also ask about how to secure yourself to maximize your security and privacy.
Erka has worked with top officials from the European Union and the US and understands the need for security balanced with a respect for privacy. And we’d love to know what questions you have about this issue so we can get answers to as many people as possible before it’s too late.
We hope you’ll join us and help spread the word.
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