20.11.2015 - 10:37 [ Techdirt ]

The Paris Attacks And The Encryption/Surveillance Bogeyman: The Story So Far

Okay, let‘s review. On Friday, a horrific and tragic series of attacks took place in Paris. And then:

Surveillance state apologists blame Ed Snowden, insisting that he has „blood on his hands“ because the terrorists must have learned how to avoid surveillance from his releases.
Hysterical politicians blame encryption for the attacks, insisting that tech companies and basic math are clearly to blame.
The Manhattan DA and others call for end-to-end encryption to be banned (while amusingly insisting they‘re not calling for a ban).
Senator John McCain promises to outlaw end-to-end encryption despite the fact that there is still no actual evidence that encryption was the issue at all.