UK Tech Secretary Under Fire for False Claims on Online Safety Bill
The proposed Online Safety Bill, aimed at combating child abuse material, has provoked a fiery response as encryption experts rebuke the Technology Secretary’s assertions. Amid the debate, the bill’s mandate for private messaging firms to scan encrypted user content has ignited discussions on privacy, surveillance, and technological feasibility.
Also at the heart of the Online Safety Bill lies a contentious provision requiring private messaging services with end-to-end encryption to scan user content for child abuse material. To enforce this, client-side scanning software would be used to examine messages on devices before encryption, sparking concerns about user privacy and the effectiveness of such measures.
Experts’ Reactions to the Online Safety Bill
Encryption experts promptly debunked Michelle Donelan’s claim on Radio 4’s Today program, that encryption and access to specific information were in developmental stages. Matthew Hodgson, CEO of secure messaging app Element, dismissed the statement as “factually incorrect,” asserting that no existing technology achieves both encryption and such access.
Furthermore, in opposition to Donelan’s stance that tech companies should address the issue, experts counter that numerous voices, from private enterprises to academia, have rejected the feasibility of building such technology. Matthew Hodgson and others emphasize the impracticality of pursuing extensive and futile research and development.
Additionally, privacy experts highlight the potential fallibility of client-side scanning. False positives in identifying child abuse material underscore concerns about its reliability. This raises questions about maintaining a balance between shielding vulnerable users and preserving privacy rights.
Matthew Lesh, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, adds to the chorus of criticism by pointing out the apparent contradiction between preserving user privacy and incorporating scanning technology. He warned that the bill could lead key messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to withdraw from the UK market.
The evolving discourse on the Online Safety Bill underscores the intricate interplay between user privacy, data protection, and law enforcement.
