Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by unnouinceput on Saturday June 27, 2020 @12:15PM (#23662689)

Apparently US government never learns. As Schneier puts it, it will become a tool for criminal organizations in the end. I can't wait for this to become the norm and absolutely everybody would be able to spy on everybody. Then you'll have the equivalent of your nosy neighbor that sits on window, having nothing else to do all day, and just watches what happens on the street. Then you'll see how fast this law will go out of the window when the elected ones will see none of their secrets are secrets anymore.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by claudeganon on Saturday June 27, 2020 @12:43PM (#23662857)

I agree with the general point, but the “elected ones” will keep using crypto because laws don’t typically apply to the wealthy and powerful.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by close04 on Saturday June 27, 2020 @12:59PM (#23662973)

How, would manufacturers make special edition phones or software especially for the wealthy and powerful? It can't be just a switch or people would either find a way to flip it to either close the backdoor on regular phones, or to open one on those "special" editions.

And what's stopping anyone from simply downloading or buying the "worldwide" version of software of devices which presumably have no known backdoors?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by claudeganon on Saturday June 27, 2020 @01:08PM (#23663019)

You don’t have to make special edition phones. You just side load encryption apps, unless they’re going to lockdown all on-device testing of software.

Also, they already make “special phones” for people in government:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectéra_Secure_Module

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by close04 on Saturday June 27, 2020 @01:45PM (#23663256)

You didn't address the point or at least your answer is parallel to your original comment. What would "the wealthy and powerful" do that I can't? What encryption will they have exclusive access to?

> the “elected ones” will keep using crypto because laws don’t typically apply to the wealthy and powerful.

Sectéra phones/modules never made it outside of mandated government use because encryption (and security in general) only works if it's there on both ends and people want to use it. So pretty much the only option is with software on top of your smartphone of choice (like POTUS and the hardened Blackberry with encryption software on top). Already both presidents and presidential candidates alike repeatedly bypassed security measures in the interest of comfort and usability. In fewer words people want their iPhones (Samsungs? whatever) and they don't want to only talk to people who also have "the special phone", rather just a piece of software.

So I can't really see how "the wealthy and powerful" would have exclusive access to that encryption and make any meaningful use of it. Good encryption options are like backdoor keys: once they're out there sooner or later everyone will have access to them.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Senators propose lawful access to encrypted data by ksaj on Saturday June 27, 2020 @02:39PM (#23663701)

This is correct. An colleague of mine used to brag about his "black phone" to the point of obnoxiousness. After one of his "look what I have!" spiels, I asked him to initiate an encrypted call with me. He couldn't, of course, because I don't have the same phone. Then I asked him who he knows that does have one, and requires him to use more security with them than for every other call he made every day.

Ah, Nobody. Sylvia wrote a catchy song about her back in the early 80's.

[ Parent | on HN ]