Just in case the #OnlineSafetyBill fails, the Government are lining up consultations to criminalise possession of "sophisticated and bespoke encrypted communication devices".
So, no new apps, then.
Suella Braverman on Home Office, at TheyWorkForYou theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2023-0
Conversation
Oops, make that:
"new offences to criminalise the making, modification, supply, offer to supply and possession of … sophisticated and bespoke encrypted communication devices"
No, no new crypto development at all in the UK.
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Not commenting either way on the merits - this is just to provide more detail of what the gov’t has actually said. It’s in this
gov.uk/government/con
Key extract says it’s not meant to target apps on commercially available phones. Don’t know how the gov’t plans to do this
Criminalising / restricting access to cryptographic software, either via export controls or via criminal law, has never been a terribly good look.
Telling people that they are not allowed to run <certain software> because it is of a metaphorically illegal shape, likewise.
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Why sophisticated *and* bespoke? If they were only mean devices that are both, why not say ‘sophisticated bespoke’? As it stands, a sophisticated but not bespoke device would seem to be covered. A modern phone would fit that description.
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Same rational as used to prosecute “Phantom Secure” - that the manufacturers knew the devices were being brought for the purpose of criminal activity.
If govt were smarter they would be running these services like the FBI did, not banning them.
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In essence saying that it will be a crime to use a secure device if criminals are also using it. How can I know whether criminals are buying this device which is a modified Android phone? shop.nitrokey.com/shop/product/n (not a question to you)
There certainly are applications that are marketed for criminal use, but there are also apps with enhanced security that are designed for vulnerable users (e.g. human rights defenders) which are not generally commercially available. Will the law ban these?
Intent of a piece of legislation matters little on how it's used once passed.