End-to-end encryption – a system of communication where only communicating users can read the messages, is primarily featured in order to prevent potential eavesdroppers from being able to access the cryptographic keys needed to decrypt the conversation. However, numerous researchers have expressed concern over the use of the encryption feature, saying it can easily be misused by anti-national elements for achieving their nefarious designs.
With the increase in crime rates and the subsequent increase in the number of applications opting for end-to-end encryption, concerns regarding the issue of this facility being misused are surfacing again. Among the countries planning on breaking this particular technology of the internet, France and Germany seem to be the first. Apparently, the two countries are planning on asking the European Commission to force technology companies to limit the encryption used to keep messages private.
This is naturally taking place with the purpose to monitor communications between suspected terrorists. In fact, French Interior Minister even confirmed that it would use powers only to monitor those who are being investigated.
“Exchanges carried out via applications like Telegram must be identified and used in the course of judicial proceedings,” French Interior Minister, Mr Bernard Cazeneuve said. “We propose that the EU Commission studies the possibility of a legislative act introducing rights and obligations for operators to force them to remove illicit content or decrypt messages as part of investigations, whether or not they are based in Europe,” he added.
However, privacy advocates have time and again said that it is not possible to weaken encryption on communications only of particular users. This technology is central to keep all communications on the internet private.
Mr. Cazeneuve said that he and his German counterparts would ask the European Commission to limit encryption across the continent, at an EU summit next month.
