Skip to main content

High profile tech companies urge Obama to dismiss calls to lower mobile security

Yahoo encryption
Image used with permission by copyright holder
A coalition of high profile tech companies and privacy organizations have urged President Obama to reject any anti-encryption proposal put forward to the government that would “weaken the security of their products.” In a letter published by the Washington Post, the group of more than 140 names said the White House should “promote rather than undermine the wide adoption of strong encryption technology.”

The letter is a response to statements made by, among others, NSA director Michael S. Rogers, who put forward the suggestion that tech companies should produce some kind of digital key to let government agents gain access to private smartphones and other devices. There is concern that strong encryption techniques make enforcing the law and catching criminals harder, and a report is being drafted on the issue at this time, hence the lobbying.

Recommended Videos

“Strong encryption is the cornerstone of the modern information economy’s security,” states the letter, before going on to list the ways it protects citizens from the horrors of the online world — from street crime to corporate espionage. Adding front or backdoors to let the government in would introduce, “intentional vulnerabilities into secure products which will make those products less secure against every other attacker,” the letter warns.

There are some very big names on the list of signatures. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are all present, along with Mozilla, Adobe, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, Dropbox, HP, Evernote, and Silent Circle. Some of the civil organizations include the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, American Civil Liberties Association, Human Rights Watch, the Tor Projects, and Freedom of the Press Foundation.

According to the Washington Post, FBI director James B. Comey is also at odds with the NSA. “There’s no doubt that all of us should care passionately about privacy, but we should also care passionately about protecting innocent people,” he’s quoted as saying, adding that he thinks Rogers’ position on this issue is wrong.

The letter closes by urging the president to follow the recommended route of promoting stronger encryption, which will, “lead the way to a more secure, prosperous, and rights-respecting future.”

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
The best Apple iPhone 16 Plus cases for 2024
A person taking a photo with the Apple iPhone 16 Plus.

The iPhone 16 series is available now, including the big and powerful iPhone 16 Plus. While you're choosing exactly what color you want for your shiny new phone, you should also look into a case to protect it from those times when you have butterfingers.

Although the iPhone 16 Plus is plenty durable on its own, a case can help you show off its design while protecting it against scratches. Even if you are really careful and you don't drop your phone, a touchscreen in the same pocket as your car keys is a recipe for disaster. Even a short drop can shatter a screen if it hits at the right angle. A good case will protect not only the screen but the cameras, sides, and ports of the phone, too.

Read more
The best Android phones in 2024: the 15 best ones you can buy
The OnePlus 12 and Pixel 8's screens.

When purchasing a new Android phone, several essential factors must be considered. Do you prefer a large screen for watching videos and playing games? How important is camera performance, especially if you enjoy taking high-quality photos? Are you someone who enjoys gaming on your phone and requires a device with excellent performance? Or do you need long-lasting battery life to keep up with your busy schedule?

This article aims to help you find the best Android phone that meets your specific needs in 2024. We have compiled a comprehensive list of Android phones catering to every type of requirement, including screen size, camera quality, gaming performance, and battery life.

Read more
Spotify vs. Pandora: which streaming service should you choose?
spotify vs pandora on iphone

Let's settle a musical debate: which music streaming platform should you use: Spotify or Pandora?

Both services have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Spotify boasts a more extensive music catalog, robust social features for sharing and discovering music with friends, and a more polished user experience across devices.

Read more