Who is not aware of private messaging services available over the internet? Who has not heard of services like whatsapp? In fact, with the messaging services flooding all over, communication has become easy and faster. The popularity of whatsapp, for instance, can be gauged from the fact that about a year ago, it was handling 50 billion messages involving 430 million users every single day. The present volume of messages can be everybody’s guess.
The major problem faced with such private messaging services by the state is however that on account of encrypted communications the access is not available to the Government. It would therefore be difficult for the Government to monitor communications for keeping a track of the extremists and anti-social elements. In the backdrop of this, the UK Prime Minister has been considering banning of such messaging services like WhatsApp and Snapchat on the ground of state security.
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If the Conservation Party wins the next general election, David Cameron plans to disallow encrypted communication that does not provide access by security services. While speaking to ITV, he commented: “I think we cannot allow modern forms of communication to be exempt from the ability, in extremis, with a warrant signed by the home secretary, to be exempt from being listened to. That is my very clear view and if I am Prime Minister after the next election I will make sure we legislate accordingly.”
Notwithstanding the lack of Government accessibility, the proposal may be highly unpopular, and may perhaps lead to protests. This would be seen as a direct intervention to the people’s right to privacy. Time will only say if such plans could at all crystallize after the next Government in UK is formed.
Notwithstanding the lack of Government accessibility, the proposal may be highly unpopular, and may perhaps lead to protests. This would be seen as a direct intervention to the people’s right to privacy. Time will only say if such plans could at all crystallize after the next Government in UK is formed.
Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad
Designation: Executive Editor
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
