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> Encryption is a human right. Who said so? UN? Some Constitutions? Who?
by pif 8y ago
> Encryption is a human right.
Who said so? UN? Some Constitutions? Who?
- dbg31415 8y agoMost notably, Amnesty International. * Encryption: A Matter of Human Rights || https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/encryption-a-matter-of-human-rights/ https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/encryption-a-matter-of-hu...
- CompelTechnic 8y agoI agree with the principal that encryption should be a human right, and I agree that I can construct thought experiments that "prove", or more correctly, show sound reasoning for, the principal. However, nation-states do not run off of principals. They run off of enough people agreeing on something that they get to decide what is right.
- eadmund 8y agoWell, I assert that encryption is a type of arms, and that it's the right of every free man (so, children/prisoners/&c. are excepted) to own, bear & use arms peaceably. In the U.S., one can make an argument that the Second Amendment protects the right to encryption. But even if no constitution or law in the world protects a right, it's still a right — just a right without legal recognition.
- loup-vaillant 8y ago> Well, I assert that encryption is a type of arms I wouldn't. Arms helps you kill or hurt people. Encryption hides information. Both functions can be used as a means to protect yourself, but its really a stretch to compare arms and encryption. Da-Vinci's mirror writings were as comparable to a rapier than AES-CGM is comparable to a hand gun. That is, not at all in my opinion. As a citizen, I would argue that the right for encryption is closest to freedom of thought. My private thoughts don't have to be confined to my brain, I should have the right to memory prosthetics (I mean a computer) as well. (Edit: of course, the decision to classify encryption as munition was ridiculous. How it combines with the second amendment (which I happen to mostly disagree with), is just a fortunate coincidence.)
- ataturk 8y agoEncryption technology was classified as a munition in the recent past. You will all lament the day you pissed away the 2nd Amendment. Mark my words, it will come back to haunt you the rest of your life after you see people you love suffer.
- DuskStar 8y agoGenocide is far harder when a significant portion of the population you want to remove possess small arms and the will to use them.
- ctdonath 8y agoA key part of true "rights" is the ability to do it anyway: you may be subsequently punished by an oppressive state, but you don't need compelled assistance nor permission to do it. One can speak, publish, make weapons, be quiet, associate, ... and encrypt, all without asking or compelling others first. Rights are natural, existing without someone else saying so.
- ams6110 8y agoRights are not conferred by authorities, they exist a priori. Governments can only take them away.