Backdoors into encryption technology, "That's just stupid."

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of encryption technology and the proposed idea of implementing backdoors for law enforcement access. It involves perspectives on security, privacy, and the potential consequences of weakening encryption, with references to a recent hearing involving the FBI and various political figures.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the FBI's concern about "going dark" due to encryption, which they argue complicates criminal investigations.
  • Rep. Ted Lieu argues against the idea of creating technological backdoors, labeling it as "technologically stupid."
  • Conley presents a case for forbidding encryption without a backdoor, citing serious criminal cases as justification, though he does not provide detailed support for his claims.
  • Conley also claims that companies like Apple and Google are enabling criminal behavior through their encryption policies.
  • Lieu expresses offense at Conley's assertions and challenges the notion that encryption policies protect criminals.
  • Conley suggests a compromise where personal devices could have backdoors while corporate networks maintain strong encryption without "golden keys."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and implications of backdoors in encryption technology. There is no consensus on whether such measures would enhance or undermine safety and privacy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of opinions on the balance between security needs and privacy rights, with various assumptions about the effectiveness and risks of encryption and backdoors remaining unaddressed.

nsaspook
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Today's hearing with the FBI.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Greg Bernhardt said:
This is a 2 hour video. Got cliff notes for us :biggrin:

Sure.
Amy Hess, the FBI's executive assistant director for science and technology, reiterated to the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform the bureau’s decades-old fear of “going dark” because encryption will make criminal investigations more difficult.
...
“We’re certainly not going to go dark,” Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) responded. “And in many ways we’ve never been brighter.”

"Creating a technological backdoor just for good guys is technologically stupid," said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), a Stanford University computer science graduate. "That's just stupid."
...
Conley cited upskirt photos, child pornography, and even the Boston Marathon bomber criminal case as reasons to forbid encryption without a backdoor, though he didn’t provide support in his brief remarks.

Conley also said Apple and Google are "protecting those who rape, assault, and kill" with their encryption policies. Both companies encrypt their mobile operating systems by default.

Leiu took exception to those remarks and said he was offended by Conley's assertions. Conley then proposed that a backdoor be implemented on personal devices but corporate networks be allowed to keep strong encryption with no "golden keys."
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/second-crypto-war-hearing-washington/
 
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