EU draft proposal bans encryption backdoors

The new EU proposal, related to the respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications, demands service providers to make end-to-end encryption available to users at all times, and forbids the use of backdoors to encryption services which grant the access to personal information and communications. If adopted, the proposal will bring important shift in the attitude of governments towards encryption, and recognise its importance for personal privacy and security. It will, however, need to be approved by the European Parliament and reviewed by the European Council, and it is likely that amendments will be made – especially to reflect positions of law enforcement and security authorities – that could water down this attitude, the Merkle reports.