The UK government has admitted that the technology needed to securely scan encrypted messages sent on Signal and WhatsApp doesn’t exist, weakening its controversial Online Safety Bill.
They’ll just focus on baking obscure side channel attacks into firmware wherever they can. Consumer devices also leak a ton of EM energy, and there have been a bunch of “proof of concepts” at deriving device state remotely by observing such energy. I’d be pretty surprised if the right folks can’t read private keys being loaded into cache under the right circumstances already.
In a way it’s kind of a poetic compromise. They can’t do mass surveillance like they want, but they can still “tap” devices via physical access, preferably with a healthy dose of due process.
Agree. If the state is determined to spy on something, no doubt they will find a way but legalising wholesale collection of data is not ethically sound. Governments want a way into every communication channel whenever they feel the need and Facebook, et al have been happy to sell out their users. Encryption provides the necessary and sufficient barrier to prevent this type of whimsical over-reach.
They’ll just focus on baking obscure side channel attacks into firmware wherever they can. Consumer devices also leak a ton of EM energy, and there have been a bunch of “proof of concepts” at deriving device state remotely by observing such energy. I’d be pretty surprised if the right folks can’t read private keys being loaded into cache under the right circumstances already.
In a way it’s kind of a poetic compromise. They can’t do mass surveillance like they want, but they can still “tap” devices via physical access, preferably with a healthy dose of due process.
Agree. If the state is determined to spy on something, no doubt they will find a way but legalising wholesale collection of data is not ethically sound. Governments want a way into every communication channel whenever they feel the need and Facebook, et al have been happy to sell out their users. Encryption provides the necessary and sufficient barrier to prevent this type of whimsical over-reach.