1. Weakened Encryption: The Threat to America’s National Security
- Author:
- Mieke Eoyang and Michael Garcia
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Third Way
- Abstract:
- For years, law enforcement officials have warned that, because of encryption, criminals can hide their communications and acts, causing law enforcement to struggle to decrypt data during their investigation—a challenge commonly referred to as “going dark.” They called on technology companies to build a process, like a “master key,” to enable law enforcement to unlock encrypted communications. While this may seem like a tempting idea, it would have grave implications for our national security. As more and more of our communications move online, users seek out encrypted services to protect their privacy. Unlike telephonic communications, and despite repeated requests by law enforcement to do so, Congress has not required internet communications platforms to give law enforcement access to intercept user communications or access stored communications. In this paper, we assess the national security risks to a requirement to provide that master key (referred to throughout as “exceptional” or “backdoor” access) to encrypted communications and propose alternative approaches to address online harms.
- Topic:
- Security, Science and Technology, Cybersecurity, and Encryption
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America