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0 pointsknd7756y ago0 comments

Wise? You think encryption back doors are wise?

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Encryption back doors are not wise, no.

Barr's point is that it's better to have that argument now, in a level-headed moment and with opportunities for all the relevant stakeholders to provide input, than it would be to have it in the middle of some dire emergency.

If you oppose back doors, I would think you would agree with him on this -- government tends to be delegated sweeping powers in emergencies, so it would be much harder to stop gov-friendly proposals like "back door all the things" in that kind of moment than it would be to stop them now.

AnimalMuppet6y ago

True. And even if we stop them now, we must be prepared to fight the battle again, because after a major incident, people will be screaming "See, we really need them! Give them to us so it won't happen again!" And we will have to explain, again, to people in panic, or people looking to exploit panic, that it still isn't a good idea, even after a major incident.

windexh8er6y ago

Agreed. It's better to have the conversation now because if we don't and the "event" does occur those who support encryption backdoors will use it as the basis of their argument in all possible manner.

"We must do something now, it's clear that we need backdoors because of X!" <- That's a much worse position to be in during a debate.

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