U.S., U.K. urge Facebook not to encrypt messages as they fight child abuse, terrorism

Record ID: 1435231

  • Title: U.S., U.K. urge Facebook not to encrypt messages as they fight child abuse, terrorism
  • Date: 4th October 2019
  • Summary: UNIDENTIFIED LOCATIONS (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FACEBOOK IN USE ON DESKTOP COMPUTERS AND MOBILE PHONES
  • Embargoed: 18th October 2019 08:47
  • Keywords: Facebook end-to-end encryption child abuse terrorism U.S. Attorney General William Barr British interior minister Priti Patel
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN AND UNIDENTIFIED LOCATIONS
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN AND UNIDENTIFIED LOCATIONS
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA006AZOLKQV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The United States, the United Kingdom and Australia have called on Facebook In to not go ahead with end-to-end encryption across its messaging services unless law enforcement officials have backdoor access, saying encryption hindered the fight against child abuse and terrorism.
    The U.S. and the UK signed a special data agreement on Thursday (October 3) that would fast track requests from law enforcement to technology companies for information about the communications of terrorists and child predators.
    U.S. Attorney General William Barr and British Interior Minister Priti Patel signed the agreement at the British embassy in Washington, D.C..
    Law enforcement could get information in weeks or even days instead of the current wait of six months to two years.
    In an open letter to Facebook and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, the three allies said that while they supported strong encryption, it was necessary to balance the need for secure data with public safety.
    They urged Facebook and other companies to "enable law enforcement to obtain lawful access to content in a readable and usable format".
    The letter was signed by U.S. Attorney General William Barr, UK Secretary of State for the Home Department Priti Patel and Australian Minister of Home Affairs Peter Dutton.
    "Unfortunately, Facebook has not committed to address our serious concerns about the impact its proposals could have on protecting our most vulnerable citizens," the letter reads.
    (Production: Vin Shahrestani)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains computer game or software screenshots. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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