Digital Encryption Article Art

Politics Against Digital Encryption

by Posted on

Art by Meghan Hoffman

In an ever digital world, especially during the times of Covid-19, data is our most valuable asset. Logically, we should protect our data with equally high esteem as we protect our other investments, property, possessions, etc.. There are, however, two bills on the congressional floor looking to take away your right to data: LAEDA and Earn It. These bills are working to take away the right to digital encryption,the process of obfuscating the contents of a file using a pseudo-random key. In an ideal scenario, only those with the key are able to view the encrypted content. However, for as long as there have been locks, there have always been lock-pickers. Imagine the government putting a ban on closing your front door, setting up a camera in your bedroom, and watching you 24/7. This is what these two bills are working to create, except with data. The Earn It Act of 2020, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), primarily aims to reduce child exploitation and the consumption of child pornography; however, aside from its more noble cause, this bill also makes it illegal to run a service utilizing end to end encryption.

(7) CYBERSECURITY PROTECTIONS DO NOT GIVE RISE TO LIABILITY.—Notwithstanding paragraph (6), a provider of an interactive computer service shall not be deemed to be in violation of section 2252 or 2252A of title 18, United States Code, for the purposes of subparagraph (A) of such paragraph (6), and shall not otherwise be subject to any charge in a criminal prosecution under State law under subparagraph (B) of such paragraph (6), or any claim in a civil action under State law under subparagraph (C) of such paragraph (6), because the provider—

“(A) utilizes full end-to-end encrypted messaging services, device encryption, or other encryption services;

“(B) does not possess the information necessary to decrypt a communication; or

“(C) fails to take an action that would otherwise undermine the ability of the provider to offer full end-to-end encrypted messaging services, device encryption, or other encryption services.”

Encryption has far more uses for good than it does for bad. End to end encryption is already utilized all the time in everyday electronics. Numerous services that we use on a day-to-day basis, such as WhatsApp and Zoom utilize encryption, but also essentially every website on the web. Modern websites utilize the HTTPS protocol, which encrypts all traffic going through them, so if you see a lock in the URL bar, or the address starts with ‘https://’, then that website has been encrypted. This is a vital security technology to protect you online. Without this encryption, it would be far easier for passwords and other sensitive data to be intercepted over the air. All these implementations of end to end encryption stand to protect us online, and do not facilitate the activities which Earn It suggests.

Encryption is a vital digital right that protects your privacy and data. While your communications may still be private to other users of the service, police, government, employers, and other entities can easily use their power to exploit the system. In addition, messages can be intercepted during transmission to be read. Encryption is also a vital part of offline privacy as well. Many people choose to encrypt the files on their mobile devices, including laptops, tablets, and phones in order to protect their privacy in case the device is stolen, or their online network is compromised. Say your bag containing your laptop is stolen. If it was unencrypted, the thief could simply remove the hard drive and plug it into a different computer to be able to read every single thing on your computer. A flaw in a piece of software that stores your passwords badly,, or simply an unnoticed bug in your banking software or web browser, you could easily have your entire identity stolen. With an encrypted hard disk however, the files are entirely scrambled, and without the passcode used to encrypt them in the first place, the thief is unable to read or access anything.

LAEDA (lawful access to encrypted data act) takes what EARN IT introduces to a new level. LAEDA, sponsored by Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), proposes backdoors to all encryption for the use of law enforcement. If it were to pass, the citizens of the United States would instantly create a police state in which every communication can be monitored by the government, and no communication can legally be private. Some say that LAEDA was introduced simply to make EARN IT seem more reasonable, however, neither bill has made it far through congress, especially because of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit in the midst of all of this occurring.

(8) If not addressed, criminal anonymity actuated by end-to-end encryption technology will continue to pose a serious risk to the public.

(i) develop a master database to track investigations in the United States in which a law enforcement agency secured the legal authority to access digital data but otherwise cannot gain access to that data in an intelligible format due to encryption

It is a well known fact among security experts that any backdoor is a backdoor to everyone. Anybody with enough skills, patience, or money, can take advantage of this system. End to end encryption does not pose a risk to the public, in fact it does the exact opposite. Bills like EARN IT and LAEDA, exist for the sole purpose of increasing government and police power.

On October 11, the Office of the Attorney General released an international statement calling for the addition of backdoors to all digital data.

Enable law enforcement access to content in a readable and usable format where an authorisation is lawfully issued, is necessary and proportionate, and is subject to strong safeguards and oversight

Not only is the Republican party trying to destroy encryption within the US, but also outside of our borders. The United States is manipulating its power into globally taking away your fundamental digital freedoms.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3398?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22earn+it%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4051?r=1&s=1

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7891?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Lawful+Access+to+Encrypted+Data+Act%22%5D%7D&s=5&r=2

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/international-statement-end-end-encryption-and-public-safety

29 Replies to “Politics Against Digital Encryption”

  5. Если вы ищете помощь в оформлении кредита, то мы готовы предоставить вам надежное решение. Наша организация специализируется на оказании поддержки в получении ссуды с учетом ваших финансовых целей. Независимо от вашей финансовой истории, наши кредитные специалисты помогут вам выбрать оптимальный ссуду и проведут через весь процесс оформления – https://vr-vyksa.ru/partnerskie-materialy/kreditnyj-broker-v-moskve/ . Мы понимаем, насколько важна качество в подобных вопросах, поэтому наша служба имеет богатый опыт и удачные кейсы в области финансовых решений. Оставьте заявку сейчас, и мы поможем вам достичь ваших финансовых целей с легкостью.

    Reply

  10. Купить нержавеющие трубы в интернет-магазине нержавеющих труб по Качественные нержавеющие трубы от Огромный выбор нержавеющих труб на нашем веб-сайте на нержавеющие трубы сейчас нержавеющих труб по территории нержавеющие трубы в розницу от производителя по выбору нержавеющих труб
    Гарантия на все продукцию нержавеющих труб
    Лучшие цены на нержавеющие трубы в России нержавеющих труб для ремонта к каждому клиенту при покупке нержавеющих труб
    Профессиональные монтажные работы нержавеющих труб на любом объекте
    Нержавейки – идеальное решение для бытовых нужд
    Большой выбор диаметров и толщин нержавеющих труб
    Экспресс заказ и отгрузка нержавеющих труб по всей России
    Надежная продукция нержавеющих труб от лучших производителей
    Квалифицированный подбор и помощь по выбору нержавеющих труб
    Универсальность нержавеющих труб для различных целей
    Специальные цены на покупку нержавеющих труб для производства
    труба нержавейка 25 мм цена https://www.nerzhavejushhie-truby.ru/.

    Reply

  12. Приветствуем, игроки на xbetegypt!
    Насладитесь успеха на xbetegypt с лучшими бонусами!
    Наслаждайтесь азартом на xbetegypt каждый день!
    Сделайте вашу игру на xbetegypt с нашими лучшими предложениями!
    Не упустите свой шанс на xbetegypt и выиграйте самые крупные призы!
    Достигайте своих целей с xbetegypt каждый день!
    Становитесь частью нашего сообщества и получите больше денег!
    Взгляните на мир с другой стороны с xbetegypt и успейте все!
    Освойте играть на xbetegypt и забирайте все больше выигрышей!
    Наслаждайтесь от игры на xbetegypt и забирайте бонусы!
    Докажите свои способности игры на xbetegypt и зарабатывайте больших успехов!
    Удивляйтесь от игры на xbetegypt и познавайте новые возможности каждый день!
    Откройте для себя новые горизонты игры и добивайтесь большими бонусами!
    Забудьте о неудачах с xbetegypt каждый день!
    Побеждайте вместе на xbetegypt и получайте большими выигрышами!
    Улучшите свои навыки на xbetegypt и победите еще больше денег!
    Покоряйте игры на xbetegypt и добивайтесь большие бонусы каждый день!
    Освойте новые техники на xbetegypt и наслаждайтесь результатами!
    Успейте играть на xbetegypt и зарабатывайте больше денег каждый день!
    Получите максимум удовольствия от игры на xbetegypt и получайте больше бонусов!
    lxbet 1xbet-app-download-ar.com.

    Reply

  16. Discover the Top Crypto Swap Exchanges for Seamless Trading
    Upgrade Your Crypto Trading with these Advanced Swap Exchanges
    Confidently Trade Cryptocurrency with these Trusted Swap Exchanges
    Optimize Your Crypto Portfolio with these Streamlined Swap Exchanges
    Trade Cryptocurrencies Trouble using these Convenient Platforms
    Jump into the World of Cryptocurrency Swapping with these Best-Rated Swap Exchanges
    Trade Cryptocurrencies with these Speedy Swap Platforms
    Increase Your Crypto Investments with these Versatile Swap Exchanges
    Easily Cryptocurrencies using these Intuitive Platforms
    Diversify Your Crypto Holdings with these Diverse Swap Exchanges
    Enhance Your Crypto Trading Strategy with these Sophisticated Swap Platforms
    Swap Cryptocurrencies via these Protected and Regulated Swap Exchanges
    Simplify Crypto Trading with these Efficient Swap Exchanges
    Explore the Best Crypto Swap Exchanges for Boost Your Crypto Trading Experience with these Top-Ranked Swap Exchanges
    Trade Cryptocurrencies with these Cutting-Edge Platforms
    Confidently Trade Cryptocurrencies with these Protected Swap Exchanges
    Explore the Best Crypto Swap Exchanges for Lightning-Fast Transactions
    Invest in Cryptocurrency with these Reputable Swap Exchanges with Rates
    Maximize Your Crypto Trading with these Advanced Swap Platforms
    defiswap http://cryptoswapinstantly.com/.

    Reply

  23. you’re in point of fact a good webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you have performed a wonderful job on this topic!
    best bitcoin casino sites

    Reply

  25. Если вы в поиске,https://diplom1.org/ по доступной цене, вы можете найти наш сайт ‘https://diplom1.org/’ в результате поиска в интернете. На нашем сайте вы сможете выбрать и приобрести диплом любого Вуза в РФ.

    Reply

  29. Для обеспечения долговечности и стойкости к различным климатическим условиям рекомендуется выбирать сайдинг с высокими техническими характеристиками.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *