The attacks on the satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo” have reignited discussions about combating terrorism, and politicians in particular like to use this topic to make themselves known with sometimes adventurous proposals.
Cameron calls for a ban on WhatsApp
David Cameron, England's Prime Minister and leader of the Conversative Party, is now proposing that apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat should remove the encryption of messages or give the authorities access to the data through a "loophole", otherwise those apps should will be banned in England in the future.
And Cameron is not alone.
Another member of Cameron's party, London Mayor Boris Johnson, said:
“I am not interested in the freedoms of citizens. If they are a threat, I want to read and hear their emails and calls.”
Pretty strong words from someone who is tipped to be the future Prime Minister of England.
What does this mean for the future?
There will be another election in England in 2015. It can be assumed that Cameron will remain Prime Minister and will want to push through this law.
The consequences would be that WhatsApp, SnapChat and all other apps with encryption would disappear from the app stores in England in the future, and the continued use of these apps would therefore also be punishable!
Quite a step backwards in the freedom of citizens... damn STOP!
Let's leave the church in the village and take a look at the situation in England before we run in circles screaming in panic.
Since 2010, Cameron's “Conservative Party” has been the strongest political force in England, but is not the only one in power. For the first time since 1974, the party missed an absolute majority and was dependent on a coalition partner in order to be able to govern. This ultimately found itself in the “Labor Party”, which achieved almost 30% in the last elections.
Of course, the Labor Party also weighed in on this discussion, but with far less martial tones, as chairman Ed Milliband said:
“Security authorities have to keep up with technology, but certainly not to the point where we restrict the basic rights of citizens. We have to do this in a right way.”
Elections are coming up again in 2015. What is likely to happen?
Of course, England's citizens are also afraid of terror. But they are also afraid for their freedoms. Citizen groups are already forming to put a stop to such advances. So how likely is it that encrypting apps will be banned in England from 2015?
Very unlikely!
1. There is neither an existing law nor a legal basis for Cameron wanting to pass such a new law. A complete ban on a very popular app would be an absolute novelty.
2. Cameron's party would have to manage to win an absolute majority. Given the announcements and the protests against it, very unlikely.
3. Terrorists are not stupid, and this is one of the protest groups' strongest arguments. Terrorists don't depend on WhatsApp. You can use TOR networks, set up VPNs (virtual private networks) and use 256bit encryption. Every small company does this on internal networks to be safe from industrial espionage.
The announced ban on WhatsApp and Co is nothing more than the roar of a lion who wants to make a big fuss and win over voters in the shadow of the coming elections and past events.
In practice, however, it is unlikely that this proposal will ever be implemented. Even in England, a country with one of the strongest surveillance laws, citizens do not put up with everything that is supposed to be passed in the name of the “fight against terror”. Least of all something that would massively restrict their personal freedoms.
Author: Ralf, mimikama.org
Sources:
WhatsApp and iMessage could be banned under new surveillance plans
Shock as WhatsApp, iMessage and Snapchat face UK ban
WhatsApp And Snapchat Could Be Banned In The UK After Charlie Hebdo Murders
Is WhatsApp soon to be banned in England?
Cameron wants to ban WhatsApp encryption
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