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While the title inspires confidence ... > The culture secretary, Nicky Morgan, told parliament the policy would be abandoned. Instead, the government would ins

While the title inspires confidence ... > The culture secretary, Nicky Morgan, told parliament the policy would be abandoned. Instead, the government would instead focus on measures to protect children in the much broader online harms white paper. This is expected to introduce a new internet regulator, which will impose a duty of care on all websites and social media outlets – not just pornography sites. Which links to: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper/online-harms-white-paper https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-whi... .. which is almost a satire of every “think of the children” and “beware of terrorists” manifesto ever written. It’s a long document but I couldn’t find a single mention of the balance between safety and governmental overreach.. I would be surprised if e2e encryption were compatible with this white paper.

someanyone 7y ago
Interestingly enough, it (encryption) may be fine: > 4.7. Reflecting the importance of privacy, the framework will also ensure a differentiated approach for private communication, meaning any requirements to scan or monitor content for tightly defined categories of illegal content will not apply to private channels.
- timerol 7y ago
  This is a very broad point. It's compatible with everything from "anything goes as long as you connect via HTTPS" to "Big Brother is watching if you don't turn off all electronics nearby and talk quietly". The next sentence says that they haven't really thought about it yet: "We are consulting on definitions of private communications, and what measures should apply to these services."
otakucode 7y ago
Quite a few years ago I recall watching a presentation by a leader of a child advocacy organization that was dealing with the various governments in the EU and providing technical guidance to them. They were very close at the time to moving forward with a plan to require video card manufacturers to build things into their firmware to check every single image before it is displayed on screen against a database of known illegal imagery. The crux of the talk from the advocate was that they, child advocacy organizations, spend an awful lot of time and resources fighting against these sorts of high-profile attacks against imagery because it is known to not actually help kids in abusive situations. I keep expecting that sort of policy to re-appear. As technical people, we know that the technical aspects of such a proposal are insane and impractical, but that often doesn't constrain policymakers.
- isostatic 7y ago
  > but that often doesn't constrain policymakers. Why don't we see more people with basic technical knowlege in policy making
  - sbhn 7y ago
    Policy making is about turning public money into your money. Finding reasons not to spend wins you no friends in government. How did the uk government manage to warrant a 20 billion pound daily budget? By finding new ways to spend it, and ensuring it is illegal for them not to have it. They need more money.

someanyone 7y ago

Interestingly enough, it (encryption) may be fine: > 4.7. Reflecting the importance of privacy, the framework will also ensure a differentiated approach for private communication, meaning any requirements to scan or monitor content for tightly defined categories of illegal content will not apply to private channels.

timerol 7y ago
This is a very broad point. It's compatible with everything from "anything goes as long as you connect via HTTPS" to "Big Brother is watching if you don't turn off all electronics nearby and talk quietly". The next sentence says that they haven't really thought about it yet: "We are consulting on definitions of private communications, and what measures should apply to these services."

otakucode 7y ago

Quite a few years ago I recall watching a presentation by a leader of a child advocacy organization that was dealing with the various governments in the EU and providing technical guidance to them. They were very close at the time to moving forward with a plan to require video card manufacturers to build things into their firmware to check every single image before it is displayed on screen against a database of known illegal imagery. The crux of the talk from the advocate was that they, child advocacy organizations, spend an awful lot of time and resources fighting against these sorts of high-profile attacks against imagery because it is known to not actually help kids in abusive situations. I keep expecting that sort of policy to re-appear. As technical people, we know that the technical aspects of such a proposal are insane and impractical, but that often doesn't constrain policymakers.

isostatic 7y ago
> but that often doesn't constrain policymakers. Why don't we see more people with basic technical knowlege in policy making
- sbhn 7y ago
  Policy making is about turning public money into your money. Finding reasons not to spend wins you no friends in government. How did the uk government manage to warrant a 20 billion pound daily budget? By finding new ways to spend it, and ensuring it is illegal for them not to have it. They need more money.