this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2025
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Europe

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[–] doctortofu@reddthat.com 27 points 11 hours ago

Next, let's make locks and window blinds illegal too - how can big brother protect us and fight crime if they can't see what we're doing 24/7? Also, why are ~~people~~ criminals putting letters in envelopes - do they have something to hide? Big brother should be able to read all mail too, any time he feels like it. It's all for our own good and to fight crime after all!

[–] BestBouclettes@jlai.lu 59 points 14 hours ago

Coming after encryption.... Again.
They have to win once, we have to win every time they pull this shit.

[–] Anyone@mander.xyz 43 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (1 children)

Not long ago, Chinese hackers attacked the U.S. wiretapping system, enabling the Chinese state to read and listen to citizens' messages and calls. Intel agencies then urged the population to use encrypted messages.

And this is just one example what could go wrong. The damage to democracy will be severe as it will be will be exploited by bad actors because, as we know, there is no such thing as a "backdoor only for the good ones." Or am I wrong here?

[–] Saleh@feddit.org 14 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

You are correct. This will make it very easy for foreign nations to steal industrial secrets and whack the EU economy around as any trace of technological advantage will be gone.

Or they make exceptions that companies are excluded from backdoors and instead get strong encryption. Then the criminal networks will just use some of their many shell companies to provide just that.

[–] ignirtoq@fedia.io 6 points 9 hours ago

The criminal networks will just immediately switch to VPNs and using end-to-end encryption services hosted in another country. VPN technology for phones is already available and has been for a while. On day one this legislation will be useless for its primary (purported) purpose. No exceptions or winner-choosing necessary.

Then they'll go after VPNs with the argument of criminals using the technology to skirt law enforcement backdoor requirements in end-to-end encryption.

[–] ReluctantZen@feddit.nl 27 points 14 hours ago

They've been trying for a long time now unfortunately. Not just the EU, but individual countries too. It has never taken actual form yet, so let's hope it stays that way and vote and act accordingly.

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 30 points 15 hours ago (4 children)

Because criminals use WhatsApp and other legal, encrypted platforms. Of course.

[–] Enkrod@feddit.org 46 points 14 hours ago (2 children)

Criminals absolutely do use Signal! Sometimes they even invite journalists to group chats.

[–] Flemmy@lemm.ee 4 points 13 hours ago

Let's not overestimate social media dm criminals here. On telegram the local chatgroups are spammed by third party dealers and prostitution.(It's not prostitution but you're going to get robbed)

And this is why tourists and expats have horrible tales because they enter a new world blind, every town has a "don't go there at 3am" spot often near the commercial zones.

[–] zaxvenz@lemm.ee 14 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (2 children)

From the article:

"Danish Justice Minister Hummelgaard suggested he would have no problem if Signal ceased operations in Denmark over its refusal to work with law enforcement"

[–] grue@lemmy.world 3 points 10 hours ago

if Signal ceased operations in Denmark over its refusal to work with law enforcement

To be fair, the fact that that's even technically possible means the developer has too much control over it and it isn't decentralized enough.

[–] coffeejunky@beehaw.org 4 points 13 hours ago

The piratebay is blocked in my country, I still use the piratebay (actually I just started using it again now that streaming has become more and more shitty). I just use a VPN now.

The more the push, the more underground and with extra layers of encryption we go.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 8 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

Some probably do, but they would just switch. This is snake oil.

[–] ReluctantZen@feddit.nl 2 points 14 hours ago

I mean, they've been known to use Telegram. It wouldn't surprise me if they used Signal too, precisely because of its strong encryption.

[–] seeigel@feddit.org 1 points 7 hours ago

Would it make sense to switch to accelleration? Let them build the surveillance state now so that people can protest or emigrate.

Once AI is fully developed and everybody who remembers the old values is retired, a surveillance state is much more difficult to change.

[–] PussButton@lemmy.org 8 points 14 hours ago

That's a bad development.. Don't they understand how they only going to make a bigger problem this way? And I still don't get why they're working more on fighting crime than preventing people getting into it.

[–] Buffalox@lemmy.world 7 points 14 hours ago

If you make encryption insecure, you also open up for industrial espionage.
There is no middle way, we either have the option for secure communication or we don't.

[–] kbal@fedia.io 3 points 12 hours ago

Look, we're fighting crime blindfolded here. We have no choice but to stab ourself in the face.

[–] DmMacniel@feddit.org 5 points 14 hours ago

I guess we shall spam their servers with encrypted casual messages then.