WhatsApp, Telegram: Seven countries demand a backdoor in encrypted messaging applications
Encrypted applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal allow communication in complete security. However, they pose a problem for the authorities. Seven countries are now calling for the addition of a backdoor to check private messages if necessary. However, it is far from won.
Encrypted messaging is very popular. In addition to being practical, they allow you to communicate without fear of prying eyes, the conversations being encrypted. This poses a problem for some countries. For example, the Five Eyes Alliance is calling for the addition of a backdoor in these applications.
The Five Eyes Alliance is a union of American, Canadian, British, Australian and New Zealand intelligence services that sometimes pool their resources. They are calling for the addition of a backdoor in encrypted applications that would allow them to access private conversations when needed. Indian and Japanese intelligence services joined in the request. It is true that these messaging services have always been favored by malicious people. The Russian Telegram service, for example, was one of the communication tools favored by members of Daesh.
Privacy at stake
On paper, the idea may seem coherent, especially in the fight against terrorism. However, adding a backdoor raises questions. Since the Snowden case in 2013, the issue of privacy protection has been crucial for these kinds of applications. Will users continue to use it if they are unsure that their conversation cannot be read by someone else?
It also requires that the companies involved agree to create a backdoor to their application, and it is not won. Many rely on safety at all costs. In the 2016 San Bernardino, California, terrorist attack, for example, Apple refused to give authorities access to the suspect's iPhone, unwilling to set a precedent. After a long time, authorities finally cracked the phone, but Apple never folded.
The Five Eyes Association's request is therefore likely to remain a dead letter. Telegram or WhatsApp put a lot of emphasis on the protection of privacy. To ask them to drop this argument would take all interest out of their service.