Last week the FBI invoked the All Writs Act of 1789 to compel Apple to assist the FBI in accessing encrypted data on the iPhone of the San Bernadino shooters. Apple is refusing and appealing, arguing the request is burdensome, a violation of its free speech rights and that its compliance would undermine the security of all iPhones and that it would set a bad legal precedent worldwide.
The Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) requires phone companies and internet providers to enable lawful wiretapping in their systems. The next version of CALEA may require messaging app publishers (Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, BlackBerry, etc) to incorporate a similar wiretap capability. Most security experts say such a ‘back door’ would be a boon to criminals and foreign governments.
Encryption protects innocent people from criminals, criminals from prosecution, victims from abusers, journalists from repressive governments, foreign adversaries from security agencies and vice-versa, all at the same time. Join us for a discussion of the technical, legal, international and maybe even philosophical aspects of easy-to-use default encryption for the masses.
Tuesday, March 1 at 7:30pm. 1525 Newton St NW #212 (inside St. Stephen’s).
