DOJ starts new war on encryption, this time with Facebook

https://bgr.com/2018/08/17/facebook-messenger-encryption-in-doj-crosshairs/

 

Predictable, of course.

 

I have a feeling Facebook could fall to these demands. Apple has such an investment in privacy, and its encryption, that they have made it technically impossible (without huge $$$ to spend) to hand over this kind of information. But buying and selling of data is not Apple's business model

 

Except that Apple has a big advantage here in that its a HARDWARE block of their phones, whereas Facebook is only controlling the software of the messenger. In theory if Apple had a truly locked physical phone and then agreed to mfg new ones that are not blocked, it wouldn't affect those already produced and securely locked from prying eyes. In my basic example I simply mean you couldn't bypass the locking mechanism remotely by changing a software package during a sneak update! e.g. my LUKS serpent header cannot be changed by an update unless I sudo in and perform the change locally, which I won't!

 

I agree! You said exactly what I meant.

 

The problem is that the encryption in question is end to end, so in order for facebook to comply, they would have to re-write the code to their app or hack the target's phone which I have no idea how they will do that on their own. If granted this would set a president. Could this mean the end of end to end encryption in messaging apps or any other form? I doubt it. DOJ will not prevail.

 

US government loses bid to force Facebook to wiretap Messenger calls
September 28, 2018
https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/28/u...to-force-facebook-to-wiretap-messenger-calls/

 

ACLU asks court to release a secret order forcing Facebook to wiretap Messenger
November 28, 2018
https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/28/aclu-secret-order-facebook-messenger-wiretap/

 

The more of this sort that I hear, the more I think that nothing privacy-centric should depend on, or be vulnerable to, entities that can be pressured. Ideally, they ought to be thoroughly anonymous and hidden. Or at least operating from relatively safe places. But on the other hand, there is the benefit of relying on firms with the resources to resist adversaries. As long as they're likely to do so, anyway. And with profit-driven firms, the only hope is that they fear damage to their reputation.

 

This reminds me of Apple and their latest firmware upgrade. Time will tell whether or not the modification is a serious block instead of just "show face" for appearances.

 

US judge keeps documents secret in Facebook Messenger encryption case
Civil rights groups sought the release of documents describing a US government effort to compel decryption of voice conversations
February 12, 2019
https://www.computerworld.com.au/ar...ts-secret-facebook-messenger-encryption-case/

 

EFF asks for DOJ efforts to break Facebook encryption to be made public
June 13, 2019
https://www.zdnet.com/article/eff-a...-break-facebook-encryption-to-be-made-public/

EFF: Details of Justice Department Efforts To Break Encryption of Facebook Messenger Must Be Made Public, EFF Tells Court