ITI, SIIA Warn Obama Not To Undermine Encryption With Backdoors, Weak Standards
The Information Technology Industry Council and Software & Information Industry Association wrote President Barack Obama Monday opposing “any policy actions or measures” by the federal government that would undermine encryption technologies, said an ITI and SIIA news release Tuesday. Citing…
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the role encryption technology plays in protecting consumers’ privacy and data security, ITI and SIIA asked Obama in their letter to work with the tech industry to “find a pathway forward that ‘preserves security, privacy, and innovation,'” the release said. Policies that mandate weakened encryption standards to allow for government access are impractical and “compromise the security” of technology products and services, “rendering them more vulnerable to attacks,” the letter said. Consumer trust would be eroded, it said. “The U.S. policy position on encryption will send a signal to the rest of the world,” the letter said. “Should the U.S. government require companies to weaken encryption technology, such requirements will legitimize similar efforts by foreign governments,” which would “threaten the global marketplace as well as deprive individuals of certain liberties,” the letter said. ITI and SIIA recognize the issue of encryption is “extremely complex” and has implications domestically and internationally, the letter said. The release said they seek an open dialogue with the administration on encryption policies.