A GCHQ proposal that would enable eavesdropping on encrypted chat services has been condemned as a “serious threat” to digital security and human rights.
In an open letter signed by more than 50 companies, civil society organisations and security experts – including Apple, WhatsApp, Liberty and Privacy International – GCHQ was called on to abandon its so-called “ghost protocol”, and instead focus on “protecting privacy rights, cybersecurity, public confidence, and transparency”.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/30/apple-and-whatsapp-condemn-gchq-plans-to-eavesdrop-on-encrypted-chats
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Google and Apple criticise GCHQ eavesdropping idea
A proposal by the UK security agency GCHQ to eavesdrop on encrypted messages has been strongly criticised by big tech firms and rights groups.
Google and Apple were among 47 firms to sign an open letter, saying it was a “serious threat” to trust and security.
The GCHQ plan would effectively mean that a copy of every encrypted message would be sent to the security services.
The technique resembled the way that GCHQ currently used wiretaps to listen to unencrypted chat, said the agency.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48458710