UK Government Watchdog Warns Encrypted App Developers Could Be Considered Hostile Actors
By
donohoe
5mo ago· 5 min readenNews
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Summary
UK government watchdog Jonathan Hall KC warns that developers creating end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp could be considered hostile actors under new national security laws. The report highlights the broad powers granted to authorities under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act and National Security Act, raising concerns about the impact on encryption and privacy in the UK.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledDevelopers of apps that use end-to-end encryption to protect private communications could be considered hostile actors in the UK.
That is the stark warning from Jonathan Hall KC, the government's Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation and Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, in a new report on national security laws.
In his independent review of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act and the newly implemented National Security Act, Hall KC highlights the incredibly broad scope of powers granted to authorities.
It's the latest blow to encryption in the UK
