Global Leaders Must Support Strong Encryption

This article was originally posted on techfreedom.org

On January 11, TechFreedom joined nearly 200 organizations, companies, and experts from more than 40 countries in urging world leaders to support strong encryption and to reject any law, policy, or mandate that would undermine digital security. In France, India, the U.K, China, the U.S., and beyond, governments are considering legislation and other proposals that would undermine strong encryption. The letter is now open to public support and is hosted at https://www.SecureTheInternet.org.

The letter concludes:

Strong encryption and the secure tools and systems that rely on it are critical to improving cybersecurity, fostering the digital economy, and protecting users. Our continued ability to leverage the internet for global growth and prosperity and as a tool for organizers and activists requires the ability and the right to communicate privately and securely through trustworthy networks.

“There’s no middle ground on encryption,” said Tom Struble, Policy Counsel at TechFreedom. “You either have encryption or you don’t. Any vulnerability imposed for government use can be exploited by those who seek to do harm. Privacy in communications means governments must not ban or restrict access to encryption, or mandate or otherwise pressure companies to implement backdoors or other security vulnerabilities into their products.”