CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Encryption’ Category

Google won’t share encryption keys with Indian sleuths – The Economic Times

16 Dec, 2010, 04.15AM IST, Kalyan Parbat,ET Bureau
Google won’t share encryption keys with Indian sleuths

KOLKATA: Google Inc will not share the encryption keys of its email service with Indian security agencies as it would compromise the privacy rights of millions of Gmail users worldwide, a top company executive said.

The Union home ministry, intelligence agencies and the telecom department are collectively exploring mandatory sharing of software by all communication service companies in India, a sensitive issue with global firms. Some firms have already been asked to comply and Canada’s Research In Motion ( RIM )) is edging closer to January 31, 2011, deadline to hand over the encryption keys for its popular BlackBerry messaging services to intelligence agencies.

Google India products chief Vinay Goel said even if the Indian government requested, it would be impossible to offer real-time access since the Gmail service is governed by US laws. ‘When users entrust their data with us, we are expected to protect it, which is why, user privacy is very important for Google,’ he said.

The Union home ministry or telecom ministry has not asked Google to share the encryption keys for Gmail, but even if the USbased internet search engine giant received such a request, it will be impossible to offer real-time access to Gmail communication, Goel said.

‘But we are not advocating non-compliance and are definitely open to offering the Indian government access to encrypted Gmail communication in the event of a large-scale risk to human life and property,’ he said. Indian authorities are seeking control over communication systems for internal security as intelligence agencies do not have the technical resources to intercept communication services and data transfers on the internet, especially when encryption levels exceed a certain threshold.

The government had two years ago asked all internet service providers in the country to lower encryption levels to better monitor communication systems in the country. Services on low encryption levels are to blame for country’s dismal internet penetration, say internet experts.

Police force more suspects to give up crypto keys: “

Password powers practised

Police have expanded their use of powers to force suspects to decrypt files by 50 per cent in the last year, figures released today reveal.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Crooks ‘too lazy’ for crypto: “

Met’s digital forensics boss thanks human nature

The widespread use of encryption by criminals – long feared by intelligence and law enforcement agencies – has yet to materialise, according to the man in charge of the country’s largest digital forensics unit.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

RIPA III: A legislative turkey comes home to roost: “

The tragic consequences of anti-crypto law

Comment The first conviction of a man under the draconian powers of RIPA Part III tragically bears out a prediction I made at the time: that these powers would do little or nothing to tackle serious crime or terror, but would create a power the police could use to harass people and undermine their right to remain silent.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Only in the UK……

UK jails schizophrenic for refusal to decrypt files: “

Terror squad arrest over model rocket

Exclusive The first person jailed under draconian UK police powers that Ministers said were vital to battle terrorism and serious crime has been identified by The Register as a schizophrenic science hobbyist with no previous criminal record.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

MPs’ Pretty Good Privacy ‘ban’ finally explained: “

Parliament misunderstands privacy, not for the first time

MPs have been told once again that they can’t use PGP to encrypt their email because of supposed compatibility problems between the encryption software and VPN remote access software installed on parliamentary computers.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Government rejects call to secure snoop data: “

Mandatory crypto ‘impractical’

Councils and police will continue to pass around sensitive data obtained using spying powers in the clear, after the government rejected calls to impose encryption.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Anti-filesharing laws revive crypto fears for spooks: “

Blinded by Mandy

The UK’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies fear the government’s anti-illegal filesharing plans will lead to a rise in encryption, scuppering their own efforts to monitor the internet, it’s claimed today.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Two convicted for refusal to decrypt data

Up to five years in jail after landmark prosecutions

Two people have been successfully prosecuted for refusing to provide authorities with their encryption keys, resulting in landmark convictions that may have carried jail sentences of up to five years.…

(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Here is some interesting news, finally! )

Finn turns to ECHR after prosecution for discussing DRM cracking: “A Finnish man has asked the European Court of Human Rights to defend his right to discuss encryption systems used by the entertainment industry. He says that Finland’s implementation of the EU’s Copyright Directive restricts his right to free speech.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)