End to end encryption is something that a lot of tech companies have been looking into quite seriously because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing users to experience total privacy as they would be the only ones capable of accessing their communiqués. Facebook has recently taken steps to start providing end to end encryption for all of its users, and this is something that the chief of MI5, the domestic intelligence unit for the United Kingdom, seems to have a really big problem with.
According to the MI5 Chief Ken McCallum, the end-to-end encryption is going to result in more security threats arising, however it is important to note that this security protocol could help threat actors to maintain some form of anonymity online as well. Terrorism is definitely on the rise, and the internet with social media platforms in particular can play a role in radicalizing impressionable young minds and making them feel like acts of terrorism are somehow the right thing to do.
However, it should also be noted that intelligence agencies have long been known for misusing their power and spying on people in a manner that is truly invasive. This was revealed to be the case in America thanks to Edward Snowden, and it is likely to the case in the UK as well. Hence, it makes sense that an intelligence chief would be frustrated by end to end encryption since it would make their job that much harder, but at the same time terrorism is a very real threat and social media platforms should help out where they can. MI5’s claims that only necessary information will be obtained remains rather dubious however, so many users will be glad to have this level of encryption.
Read next: Facebook’s Own Analytics Tool Revealed the Truth About the Social Network, It Has Now Been Dismantled
According to the MI5 Chief Ken McCallum, the end-to-end encryption is going to result in more security threats arising, however it is important to note that this security protocol could help threat actors to maintain some form of anonymity online as well. Terrorism is definitely on the rise, and the internet with social media platforms in particular can play a role in radicalizing impressionable young minds and making them feel like acts of terrorism are somehow the right thing to do.
However, it should also be noted that intelligence agencies have long been known for misusing their power and spying on people in a manner that is truly invasive. This was revealed to be the case in America thanks to Edward Snowden, and it is likely to the case in the UK as well. Hence, it makes sense that an intelligence chief would be frustrated by end to end encryption since it would make their job that much harder, but at the same time terrorism is a very real threat and social media platforms should help out where they can. MI5’s claims that only necessary information will be obtained remains rather dubious however, so many users will be glad to have this level of encryption.
Read next: Facebook’s Own Analytics Tool Revealed the Truth About the Social Network, It Has Now Been Dismantled
