Meta's new end-to-end encryption raises alarms about undetected criminal activity
Meta's decision to introduce end-to-end encryption on Instagram and Facebook might enable numerous child abusers to go unnoticed, as per reports.
Highlights
- Facebook's founder faces government pressure over Messenger encryption, with Instagram to follow
- A Meta spokesperson stated that encryption protects the UK population from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals
- Online Safety Bill empowers Ofcom to require messaging services to use "accredited technology” (CSAM)
A government campaign supported by abuse survivors is urging Mark Zuckerberg to stop his plan to introduce end-to-end encryption on messaging platforms owned by Meta, saying it will allow child abusers to remain undetected.
Ministers have pressured the Facebook founder about encrypting Messenger with Instagram also soon to receive the encryption feature.
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of secure communication that prevents third parties from accessing data while it's transferred from one end system or device to another.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) predicts that if Meta proceeds with its plan to enable encryption, it could result in the loss of 92 percent of Facebook Messenger and 85 percent of Instagram direct referrals, potentially allowing thousands of criminals to run away from detection each year.
Abuse survivor campaign
A campaign, supported by abuse survivors, child safety advocates, and charities like Barnardo’s, a children's charity that protects and supports children and young people in the UK who need them, has been launched and funded by the Home Office.
Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, an abuse survivor and expert at the Marie Collins Foundation, emphasised the importance of privacy for survivors.
She seeks assurance that E2EE won't facilitate child sex abusers in harming children, given her own experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse involving photos and videos.
United Kingdom’s home security statement
On Wednesday, Sue-Ellen Cassiana Braverman KC, a British politician and barrister who became Home Secretary of the United Kingdom, urged Meta to prioritise child safety.
She implemented protective measures, pausing the planned encryption rollout. She conveyed her concerns in a letter to Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, emphasising the importance of balancing encryption with child safety.
Ms. Braverman restated her unwavering commitment to safeguarding children online.
Online safety bill
The Online Safety Bill includes a contentious provision to combat child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
It grants Ofcom (the Office of Communications) the authority to compel messaging services to employ "accredited technology" (the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards) for identifying and removing such content.
Ofcom is the regulatory authority for the communication and broadcasting industries in the United Kingdom. It oversees a wide range of sectors, including television, radio, telecommunications, and the internet
Meta’s response
A Meta spokesperson stated that they have created strong safety measures to address abuse. These measures include banning suspicious profiles, limiting adult interactions with unrelated children, and setting under-18 accounts to private or 'friends only.'
They also encourage users to report harmful messages for prompt responses and referrals to authorities. These actions aim to enhance safety while maintaining encryption.
