EncryptionWorld leaders urged to oppose encryption back doors

Published 12 January 2016

In an open letter made public on Monday, nearly 200 Internet and digital rights leaders and experts, companies, and organizations are calling on the Obama administration and other world leaders to reject efforts to create “back doors” to encryption. “Encryption tools, technologies, and services are essential to protect against harm and to shield our digital infrastructure and personal communications from unauthorized access,” the letter states.

In an open letter made public on Monday, nearly 200 Internet and digital rights leaders and experts, companies, and organizations are calling on the Obama administration and other world leaders to reject efforts to create “back doors” to encryption.

Encryption tools, technologies, and services are essential to protect against harm and to shield our digital infrastructure and personal communications from unauthorized access,” the letter states.

NBC News reports that the letter was organized by Access Now, a digital rights group with offices in the United States and other countries. Those who signed the letter come from more than forty countries. Among the signees are former CIA analyst John Kiriakou; David Kaye, U.N. Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression; Iceland parliament member Birgitta Jónsdóttir; the American Civil Liberties Union; Amnesty International; and Human Rights Watch.

Nathan White, senior legislative manager at Access Now, told NBC News that a copy of the letter has been delivered to Obama administration officials. White House officials have said they are not seeking a “back door” to encrypted communications (see “White House will not seek law allowing law enforcement access to encrypted messages,” HSNW, 12 October 2015), but they have not issued a clear policy supporting strong encryption, White said. He noted that this has led other government agencies and foreign governments — the United Kingdom, for instance— to feel free to press ahead with legislation that would weaken encryption, he said.

The White House needs to clarify what its policy is, because right now the lack of a policy is indicating others are able to take the lead,” White said.

On Friday, top administration security officials met with the leaders of major tech companiesincluding Apple, Google and Facebook to discuss ways to prevent terrorists from using encryption, social media and other technologies to communicate.