EU backs Franco-German bid for access to encrypted messages

France and Germany showed its support to an initiative to compel operators of mobile messaging services to provide access to encrypted content to terrorism investigations.

The two countries said the European Commission should draft a law obliging operators to cooperate in investigations of militants. The EC welcomed the idea and stated that the existing online privacy framework was already under review.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU cybersecurity agency slams calls for encryption backdoors http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-cybersecurity-agency-slams-calls-for-encryption-backdoors/

The Independent, 24.08.16: WhatsApp privacy under threat as France and Germany push EU to allow states to break encryption http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/whatsapp-privacy-under-threat-as-france-and-germany-push-eu-to-allow-states-to-break-encryption-a7204961.html

Deutsche Welle, 23.08.16: Paris, Berlin want access to encrypted apps to fight terror http://dw.com/p/1Jnjj

Euronews, 23.08.16: France and Germany call for European unity in the fight against terror http://www.euronews.com/2016/08/23/france-and-germany-call-for-european-unity-in-the-fight-against-terror

EurActiv, 22.11.16: Five member states want EU-wide laws on encryption http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/news/five-member-states-want-eu-wide-laws-on-encryption/

EurActiv, 25.11.16: Ansip: No ‘black and white’ fix to help police crack encryption http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/news/ansip-no-black-and-white-fix-to-help-police-crack-encryption/

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