Alex Omenye
Britain has asked Meta not to implement end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger and Instagram without safeguards to guard against child sex abuse.
End-to-end encryption will be implemented across Messenger and Instagram direct communications, according to Meta, which currently encrypts messages on WhatsApp. The company claims the technology reinforces safety and security.
Suella Braverman, the home secretary for Britain, said she favoured children’s protection over tight encryption for online users.
“They must develop appropriate safeguards to sit alongside their plans for end-to-end encryption.”
A meta spokesperson in response said, “The overwhelming majority of Brits already rely on apps that use encryption to keep them safe from hackers, fraudsters and criminals”
“We don’t think people want us reading their private messages so have spent the last five years developing robust safety measures to prevent, detect and combat abuse while maintaining online security.”
It announced that it would provide an update on the steps it was taking on Wednesday. These included limiting the ability of adults 19 and older to message teenagers who do not follow them and utilising technology to detect and stop bad activities.
When the Online Safety Bill voted by parliament on Tuesday becomes law, social media platforms will be subject to stricter regulations to prevent youngsters from accessing harmful content.
In the new law, end-to-end encryption is a point of disagreement between businesses and the government.
WhatsApp and other messaging companies are opposed to a clause that they claim might force them to compromise end-to-end encryption.
