The FBI is revisiting its stance on encryption after a major hack exposed vulnerabilities in US communications. The bureau has long advocated for “responsibly managed encryption,” but experts say this approach is nothing more than a rebranding of a government backdoor.
Critics argue that the idea of special access to encrypted communications without compromising security is illogical and can’t work. Security experts say that once you create a backdoor, hackers will exploit it. Major tech companies like Apple endorse end-to-end encryption, but law enforcement agencies have long complained about “going dark.”
In response to the Salt Typhoon hack, which compromised at least eight telecoms and gathered data on phone calls and texts in the Washington D.C. area, US officials say only a small circle of people had their communications hacked, including real-time audio. However, experts warn that even with end-to-end encryption, hackers can still plant spyware on phones.
The FBI claims its “responsibly managed” encryption would protect people’s privacy while allowing tech companies to provide readable content in response to lawful court orders. But it remains unclear what programs the agency has in mind for such encryption.
Privacy advocates say that law enforcement should endorse end-to-end encryption, citing cases like Signal and WhatsApp as examples. They warn that the best way to protect oneself is to use these apps, not adopt the FBI’s flawed approach. Even former NSA and CIA Director Michael Hayden has endorsed end-to-end encryption, calling for the nation’s basic security needs to be protected by this method.
As the debate over encryption continues, it is clear that the FBI’s stance on the matter remains unchanged – despite the exposure of vulnerabilities in US communications.
Source: https://theintercept.com/2024/12/11/fbi-phone-encryption-salt-typhoon