Encryption Archives | Page 61 of 62 | Digital Watch Observatory

Russia orders Discord to remove nearly 1,000 posts violating national laws

Russia has ordered Discord to delete nearly 1,000 posts that are deemed illegal. The communication regulator, Roskomnadzor, highlighted that the posts include content related to child pornography, extremism, drug abuse, and LGBT promotion.

Discord, a San Francisco-based platform, and the regulator have yet to respond to queries regarding the order. Previous actions have seen Discord fined 3.5 million roubles for failing to remove illegal material.

Russia’s demands follow a long-standing policy of controlling content on foreign technology platforms. Regular fines are issued for non-compliance, with social media platforms even facing bans in some instances.

President Vladimir Putin continues to emphasise traditional values, particularly with stricter rules on LGBT promotion. Moscow’s broader push aims to restrict content that contradicts the state’s values and regulations.

New law targets excessive phone use in California schools

California has introduced a new law requiring schools to limit or ban the use of smartphones to combat rising concerns about their impact on mental health and education. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill following increasing evidence linking excessive phone use with anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties.

California is joining thirteen other states, including Florida, which introduced a similar ban last year. Los Angeles County schools, the state’s largest district, already prohibited phones for its 429,000 students earlier this year. The law, aimed at promoting student focus and social development, reflects a broader national movement to reduce smartphone use among young people.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has warned of the growing mental health crisis associated with social media, comparing it to the dangers of smoking. Studies in the US suggest that teenagers spending more than three hours a day on social media are at increased risk of mental illness, with average usage exceeding four hours daily.

School boards across California will be required to implement policies limiting phone use by July 2026, with updates every five years. Newsom stressed the importance of addressing the issue early to improve students’ wellbeing and academic focus.

Ukraine bans Telegram for officials amid spy fears

Ukraine has banned the Telegram messaging app for government officials and critical workers due to concerns about Russian espionage. The National Security and Defence Council implemented these restrictions after Kyrylo Budanov, head of the military intelligence agency, presented evidence indicating that Russian special services could access Telegram messages, including deleted ones.

The ban only affects official devices, allowing government personnel to use personal phones without restriction. Despite its risks, Telegram has played a crucial role in communication and information sharing since the onset of the war in February 2022, with a significant portion of the Ukrainian population relying on the app for updates.

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has denied claims that the platform shares user data with any country, including Russia. He emphasised that deleted messages are permanently erased and cannot be recovered. However, Ukrainian security officials maintain that the national security implications necessitate this decision.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and various officials regularly use Telegram to communicate vital updates. With approximately 75% of people in Ukraine using the app, the restrictions mark a significant shift in the approach to information security amid ongoing conflict.

Microsoft proposes shift in cybersecurity by eliminating kernel-level access

Microsoft is developing an alternative platform for cybersecurity companies that currently rely on deep access to its operating system’s kernel layer, following a global IT crisis caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update. In response to customer and partner demand, Microsoft announced plans to design a ‘new platform capability’ that would allow security vendors to operate without needing kernel-level access, which is the most critical layer of the OS.

This initiative aims to improve system reliability while maintaining strong security. The shift will require significant changes not only for Microsoft but also for external cybersecurity firms that use kernel access to detect threats. Microsoft explained that newer versions of Windows provide more ways for cybersecurity vendors to offer services outside of the kernel layer. However, some in the security industry believe kernel access is still essential for innovation and advanced threat detection.

Sophos’ Chief Research Officer, Simon Reed, emphasised that kernel access is vital for security products, describing it as fundamental to both Sophos’ offerings and Windows endpoint security in general. ESET echoed this sentiment, supporting changes to the Windows ecosystem as long as they do not weaken security or limit cybersecurity solution options. Both companies argue that restricting kernel access would hinder innovation and the detection of future threats.

The debate over kernel access is unlikely to result in major changes soon, as security companies fear it could give Microsoft’s own security products an unfair advantage. Given Microsoft’s antitrust history, this issue could end up in court, with government officials from the US and Europe closely monitoring developments.

Telegram founder criticises French detention

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has critici s ed French authorities for detaining him during an investigation into the app, suggesting they could have contacted his company through established channels instead. Durov, now a French national, made his first public statement following his detention last month, denying claims that Telegram is an ‘anarchic paradise’ and defending the app’s moderation efforts.

He expressed surprise at the investigation, pointing out that French authorities had access to a hotline specifically set up for communication with Telegram’s EU representative. Durov argued that it would have been more appropriate for legal action to target the platform rather than holding him personally responsible for third-party activities.

The investigation involves allegations of crimes such as child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions linked to the app. Durov emphasised that Telegram works diligently to remove harmful content, taking down millions of posts and channels daily.

Cambodian messaging app faces backlash over privacy fears

Cambodia recently launched its messaging app, CoolApp, which is supported by former Prime Minister Hun Sen. He has emphasised that the app is crucial for national security, aiming to protect Cambodian information from foreign interference. Hun Sen’s endorsement of CoolApp aligns with his long-standing approach of maintaining tight control over the country’s communication channels, especially in the face of external influences. He compared the app to other national messaging services like China’s WeChat and Russia’s Telegram, indicating a desire for Cambodia to have a secure, homegrown platform.

However, the introduction of CoolApp has raised significant concerns among critics and opposition leaders. They argue that the app could be a tool for government surveillance, potentially used to monitor and suppress political discourse. Mu Sochua, an exiled opposition leader, warned that CoolApp represents a new method for mass surveillance and control of public discourse, reminiscent of practices seen in China. Another opposition figure, Sam Rainsy, called for a boycott of the app, suggesting that its true purpose is to strengthen the repressive tools available to the Cambodian regime. These concerns are amplified by Cambodia’s recent history of internet censorship, media blackouts, and persecution of government critics.

CoolApp’s founder and CEO, Lim Cheavutha, claims the app uses end-to-end encryption to ensure user privacy and has reached 150,000 downloads, with expectations to reach up to 1 million. However, these assurances do little to alleviate fears of government surveillance, given Cambodia’s history of using technology to control dissent.

The app’s launch comes amid broader security challenges in Cambodia, including online scams by Chinese gangs and close ties with China’s surveillance-heavy regime. The following situation highlights the ongoing tension between Cambodia’s national security and civil liberties.

Google enhances Gmail with new AI features

Google is enhancing Gmail with new AI features designed to streamline email management. A new Gemini side panel is being introduced for the web, which is capable of summarising email threads and drafting new emails. Users will receive proactive prompts and can ask freeform questions, utilising Google’s advanced models like Gemini 1.5 Pro. The mobile Gmail app will also feature Gemini’s ability to summarise threads.

However, these upgrades will only be accessible to paid Gemini users. To benefit from these features, one must be a Google Workspace customer with a Gemini Business or Enterprise add-on, a Gemini Education or Education Premium subscriber, or a Google One AI Premium member. Despite their potential usefulness, it’s advised not to depend entirely on these AI tools for critical work, as AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information.

In addition to Gmail, Google is incorporating Gemini features into the side panels of Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. The rollout follows Google’s earlier promises at the I/O conference. Further AI enhancements, including ‘Contextual Smart Reply,’ are expected to arrive for Gmail soon.

WhatsApp threatens shutdown over encryption demands in India

WhatsApp and Facebook are challenging India’s amended IT Rules, claiming they infringe on privacy rights and are unconstitutional. At a Delhi High Court hearing, WhatsApp argued that being forced to decrypt messages could shut down their service. A key issue is Rule 4(2), which mandates social media companies to trace the original source of messages under certain conditions. WhatsApp contends this would require them to store messages for years, a demand not made in any other country, including Brazil.

The Indian government argues that these companies, which profit from user data, don’t have a basis to claim they protect user privacy. The government insists these rules are vital for law enforcement to track false messages and uphold public order. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology supports the rules, stating they meet global standards and ensure accountability of digital platforms, keeping the internet secure and respecting citizen rights. The case has been adjourned to August 14 for further consideration.

Why does it matter?

Since adopting end-to-end encryption in 2016, WhatsApp has prioritised privacy and security. In India, where it is the leading messaging app with over 900 million users, it has become a key tool for government communications. Over the years, WhatsApp has expanded its reach to include various government bodies that use it to disseminate vital information. With such a vast user base and an important role in public communication, the outcome of this situation could have dramatic consequences for India’s informational ecosystem.

Fujitsu assesses vulnerability of RSA encryption to potential quantum computer threats

Japanese ICT company Fujitsu announced that it had conducted successful trials to evaluate the widely-used RSA encryption for possible vulnerability to code-cracking by quantum computers. Fujitsu conducted the trials in January 2023 using its 39 qubit quantum simulator to assess how difficult it would be for quantum computers to crack existing RSA cryptography. Fujitsu researchers discovered that a fault-tolerant quantum computer with a scale of approximately 10,000 qubits and 2.23 trillion quantum gates would be required to crack RSA, which is much higher than current quantum computing capacities.

New report and research highlight need for quantum-safe cryptography

A new IBM report titled Security in the quantum computing era highlights that quantum computing has the potential to affect encryption. Currently used data encryption mechanisms such as public-key cryptography (PKC) can become vulnerable: using quantum computing protocols, bad actors can easily decrypt data. The report suggests the need to plan for quantum-safe cryptography and crypto-agility.

Meanwhile, Chinese scientists have claimed they are capable of breaking encryption by using ‘a universal quantum algorithm for integer factorization that requires only sublinear quantum resources’. They argue that their method would break the RSA-2048 scheme – a public key cryptosystem used widely by governments, tech companies, the defence sector, and app developers for data security – with the use of a 372-qubit quantum computer. However, several encryption experts are sceptical about this claim.