British PM Suggests Banning Encrypted Communication Mediums

[jaysabi]

Snapchat and WhatsApp could be banned in Britain for refusing to give British intelligence services access to their encrypted databases.

Mr. Cameron, who has started to campaign ahead of a national election in Britain in May, said his government, if elected, would ban encrypted online communication tools that could potentially be used by terrorists if the country’s intelligence agencies were not given increased access. The reforms are part of new legislation that would force telecom operators and Internet services providers to store more data on people’s online activities, including social network messages.

T-t-t-terrorists abound, and Big Brother is the only one who can save you! Quick, give me all your freedoms for safekeeping!

“Are we going to allow a means of communications which it simply isn’t possible to read?” Mr. Cameron said at an event on Monday, in reference to services like WhatsApp, Snapchat and other encrypted online applications. “My answer to that question is: ‘No, we must not.’ ”

Read more: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/british-prime-minister-suggests-banning-some-online-messaging-apps/?_r=0

[Buffer Overflow]

This is utterly dumb. Cameron would have to ban all encrypted channels, such as https, encrypted passwords logins etc...

Completely unworkable in "Digital Britain".

*facepalm*

[BitCoinNutJob]

Snapchat and WhatsApp could be banned in Britain for refusing to give British intelligence services access to their encrypted databases.

Mr. Cameron, who has started to campaign ahead of a national election in Britain in May, said his government, if elected, would ban encrypted online communication tools that could potentially be used by terrorists if the country’s intelligence agencies were not given increased access. The reforms are part of new legislation that would force telecom operators and Internet services providers to store more data on people’s online activities, including social network messages.

T-t-t-terrorists abound, and Big Brother is the only one who can save you! Quick, give me all your freedoms for safekeeping!

“Are we going to allow a means of communications which it simply isn’t possible to read?” Mr. Cameron said at an event on Monday, in reference to services like WhatsApp, Snapchat and other encrypted online applications. “My answer to that question is: ‘No, we must not.’ ”

Read more: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/12/british-prime-minister-suggests-banning-some-online-messaging-apps/?_r=0

Cameron is the biggest slime ball troll ever, uses any opportunity he can to fear sell the public, sad times

[TheIrishman]

David Cameron in "cloud cuckoo land" over encrypted messaging apps ban

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/13/david-cameron-encrypted-messaging-apps-ban

<< The prime minister's pledge to give security services access to encrypted communications is "crazy", experts say. >>

[Razick]

What a moron. Terrorists could download open source software from the US or, for that matter, hire a programmer or two to create a simple custom solution for maybe a few hundred dollars.

[freedomno1]

This is a dumb policy I hope that the UK doesn't vote him in
Kind of a facepalm
Terrorism always being the default excuse for invading personal privacy

[pedrog]

All this has happened before and will happen again.

The State will of course try to slow or halt the spread of this technology, citing national security concerns, use of the technology by drug dealers and tax evaders, and fears of societal disintegration. Many of these concerns will be valid; crypto anarchy will allow national secrets to be trade freely and will allow illicit and stolen materials to be traded. An anonymous computerized market will even make possible abhorrent markets for assassinations and extortion. Various criminal and foreign elements will be active users of CryptoNet. But this will not halt the spread of crypto anarchy.

http://www.activism.net/cypherpunk/crypto-anarchy.html

[Lethn]

This is a dumb policy I hope that the UK doesn't vote him in
Kind of a facepalm
Terrorism always being the default excuse for invading personal privacy

I thought it was protecting the children.

[alan2here]

Time to exile all the nationalists, the irony, what a great punishment it would be.

I've had enough of this.

I'd like to feel proud of my country.

What an irony this is.

[Rishblitz]

another advancement on the war on terror.

[freedomno1]

This is a dumb policy I hope that the UK doesn't vote him in
Kind of a facepalm
Terrorism always being the default excuse for invading personal privacy

I thought it was protecting the children.

Well one of three really its either A) Think of the Children B) Those terrorists again or C) This is for your country and is a national duty

[Agestorzrxx]

Bitcoin may be banned too.
Is British still a freedom country?

[Orwell]

This is utterly dumb. Cameron would have to ban all encrypted channels, such as https, encrypted passwords logins etc...

Completely unworkable in "Digital Britain".

*facepalm*

This is what I was thinking. It's impossible to 'ban' them, what he's saying sounds like he just wants to criminalize or penalize their use just because they can't snoop on you.

[BitCoinNutJob]

Bitcoin may be banned too.
Is British still a freedom country?

Depends what you mean by freedom, we can do many things on this island.  Seems to be many people still in the matrix is how i find it, creates a society of ignorance which can hinder freedom often.  Not sure what other countries are like, probably similar i should imagine.

[BitcoinFX]

Cryptoy - explore the fascinating world of cryptography

- http://www.gchq.gov.uk/how_we_work/partnerships/supporting_education/Pages/Cryptoy-app.aspx

"This fun and educational app teaches you about the mysterious world of cryptography. It will help you to understand ciphers and key, and enable you to create encrypted messages that you can share with your friends.
 
You can learn about four encryption techniques:

    Shift
    Substitution
    Vigenère
    Enigma

You can build your own messages interactively using these techniques, as well as learning the history behind their use.
 
Once you've created a message, you can share it with your friends and see if they can decrypt it... it's up to you how much help or information you give them!"

 

[jaysabi]

This is utterly dumb. Cameron would have to ban all encrypted channels, such as https, encrypted passwords logins etc...

Completely unworkable in "Digital Britain".

*facepalm*

This is what I was thinking. It's impossible to 'ban' them, what he's saying sounds like he just wants to criminalize or penalize their use just because they can't snoop on you.

Wouldn't it be possible to ban them though? The apps have to be downloaded, so for either iOS or Android, if you pass a law that outlaws encrypted mediums, Apple and Google can no longer offer them for download in their stores in Britain. Now you've eliminated the product from 99% of the people who don't know how or don't care to go to the trouble of trying to obtain the apps in any other way.

[newflesh]

Dodgy Dave isn't the sharpest tool in the box, would be interested to know how he intends to enforce the ban. More hot air from the toff party methinx...

[Lethn]

Dodgy Dave isn't the sharpest tool in the box, would be interested to know how he intends to enforce the ban. More hot air from the toff party methinx...

I vividly remember last election the conservative party was pushing for more 'discipline' in schools, that pissed me off, mandatory schooling is fascist enough as it is without more stupidity added to it.

[TheIrishman]

Secret US cybersecurity report: encryption vital to protect private data

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/15/-sp-secret-us-cybersecurity-report-encryption-protect-data-cameron-paris-attacks

<< Newly uncovered Snowden document contrasts with British PM’s vow to crack down on encrypted messaging after Paris attacks.

A secret US cybersecurity report warned that government and private computers were being left vulnerable to online attacks from Russia, China and criminal gangs because encryption technologies were not being implemented fast enough.

The advice, in a newly uncovered five-year forecast written in 2009, contrasts with the pledge made by David Cameron this week to crack down on encryption use by technology companies. >>

[ivonna]

The problem with this is that the technology is there. It is not difficult to get access to things like PGP keychains that essentially allows people to encrypt messages 'manually' without the help of "apps". These kinds of technologies are widespread enough that it is not realistically possible to outright "ban" them nor prevent people from using them