Inside Story

Is the US moving closer to banning encryption?

How much power should governments have to snoop on what we share online?

The US Senate has published a draft law to force tech companies to show encrypted messages to security services.

The Compliance with Court Orders Act would force companies to hand over what is called “intelligible” or non-encrypted data, if they receive a court order.

It follows decisions by Apple and Whatsapp take a stand on encryption.

Apple has been locked in a battle with the FBI over its refusal to unlock its iPhone.

And Facebook recently announced all messages on its messaging app, Whatsapp are now encrypted.

Is the right to keep our online information a secret about to be banned?

And where should the line be between privacy and transparency?

Presenter: Jane Dutton

Guests:

Rachel Levinson-Waldman – Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

Robert Pritchard – Associate Fellow at RUSI.

Glyn Moody – technology writer and digital rights expert.