> Nor are we necessarily talking about the customized encryption used by large business enterprises to protect their operations. We are talking about consumer products and services such as messaging, smart phones, email, and voice and data applications.
I am very confused by this statement from Barr.
Protecting consumer data is protecting a business' operations.
If user data is properly encrypted, then a dataleak is necessarily less of a liability. You cannot lose what you do not have access to. Protecting the customer, protects the business.
Allow me to put some words in Barr's mouth for you:
"I work in law enforcement, and I am uncomfortable with the idea that the public might have effective tools to communicate privately. But I can't say that directly because then people who aren't paying attention will be upset. So instead I'll be a bit confused about what my point is and draw some distinctions that don't make sense"
There is a very compelling case that law enforcement should be denied some powers even at the risk of criminals escaping justice. That case is complicated and takes several pages to explain. It is rare that law enforcement officials will make that case, and rare that the public understands when law enforcement is too powerful.
IDK if it's rare that they make this case. It depends on what the are promoting or defending.
Or rather, it's rare that anyone (including people against this war on encryption) makes a blunt argument that criminals will escape because the police are constrained. The blunt tradeoffs argument is from a classroom or bar. It's not the kind of argument that will be made (bluntly) in a legal, policy or legislative setting.
In any case... I don't think "denied some powers" should be assessed against "risk of criminals escaping justice." One is abstract and the other concrete. The actual tradeoff is between criminals escaping and actual abuse of power by law enforcement. Some amount of both is guaranteed. This tips the scale.
I am very confused by this statement from Barr.
Protecting consumer data is protecting a business' operations.
If user data is properly encrypted, then a dataleak is necessarily less of a liability. You cannot lose what you do not have access to. Protecting the customer, protects the business.