End-to-end encryption scrambles data, such as private messages, preventing unauthorized access by third parties. This process is crucial for protecting the fundamental right to privacy online, but the UK government has continued to exploit concerns surrounding online child sexual abuse and terrorism to introduce new laws that weaken these protections for all users.
To “respond to threats to the public and keep apace with evolving technology,” the government announced it would be amending the Investigatory Powers Act, the 2016 legislation that introduced obligations on communication providers to retain customer connection records for up to 12 months.
