SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
"It is beyond dispute that the bill would threaten the safety of billions of internet users, including journalists, activists, and ordinary people exercising their right to free expression, as well as critical infrastructure systems and government databases." (Photo: Shutterstock)
Obama Should Reject Anti-Encryption Legislation and Protect Digital Security
33 civil liberties organizations and companies in issuing a joint letter to the president
Apr 12, 2016
Dozens of nonprofit organizations, companies, and academics sent a joint letter on Monday urging President Obama to take a strong stance against backdoors and oppose legislation that would undermine security.
The coalition effort--which included EFF, Access Now, Fight for the Future, and others-- was organized after The Hill published a draft of anti-security legislation written by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The draft bill would create a new obligation on device manufacturers, software developers, ISPs, online services and others to decrypt encrypted data or offer "such technical assistance as is necessary" if ordered to do so by any court in the country.
From the joint letter:
It is beyond dispute that this bill would threaten the safety of billions of internet users, including journalists, activists, and ordinary people exercising their right to free expression, as well as critical infrastructure systems and government databases. However, it would likely to do very little to assist in investigations of crime or terrorism, since those who engage in illegal activities will have access to other means to protect their own devices and communications.
Today's letter comes 167 days after the pro-encryption petition at SaveCrypto.org surpassed 100,000 signatures, achieving the threshold for receiving an official response from the president. To date, there has still been no substantive response from the administration. The White House has "aimed" to respond to petitions with 100,000 signatures within 60 days.
Read the full letter to President Obama. Speak out against the Burr-Feinstein proposal.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Dozens of nonprofit organizations, companies, and academics sent a joint letter on Monday urging President Obama to take a strong stance against backdoors and oppose legislation that would undermine security.
The coalition effort--which included EFF, Access Now, Fight for the Future, and others-- was organized after The Hill published a draft of anti-security legislation written by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The draft bill would create a new obligation on device manufacturers, software developers, ISPs, online services and others to decrypt encrypted data or offer "such technical assistance as is necessary" if ordered to do so by any court in the country.
From the joint letter:
It is beyond dispute that this bill would threaten the safety of billions of internet users, including journalists, activists, and ordinary people exercising their right to free expression, as well as critical infrastructure systems and government databases. However, it would likely to do very little to assist in investigations of crime or terrorism, since those who engage in illegal activities will have access to other means to protect their own devices and communications.
Today's letter comes 167 days after the pro-encryption petition at SaveCrypto.org surpassed 100,000 signatures, achieving the threshold for receiving an official response from the president. To date, there has still been no substantive response from the administration. The White House has "aimed" to respond to petitions with 100,000 signatures within 60 days.
Read the full letter to President Obama. Speak out against the Burr-Feinstein proposal.
Dozens of nonprofit organizations, companies, and academics sent a joint letter on Monday urging President Obama to take a strong stance against backdoors and oppose legislation that would undermine security.
The coalition effort--which included EFF, Access Now, Fight for the Future, and others-- was organized after The Hill published a draft of anti-security legislation written by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The draft bill would create a new obligation on device manufacturers, software developers, ISPs, online services and others to decrypt encrypted data or offer "such technical assistance as is necessary" if ordered to do so by any court in the country.
From the joint letter:
It is beyond dispute that this bill would threaten the safety of billions of internet users, including journalists, activists, and ordinary people exercising their right to free expression, as well as critical infrastructure systems and government databases. However, it would likely to do very little to assist in investigations of crime or terrorism, since those who engage in illegal activities will have access to other means to protect their own devices and communications.
Today's letter comes 167 days after the pro-encryption petition at SaveCrypto.org surpassed 100,000 signatures, achieving the threshold for receiving an official response from the president. To date, there has still been no substantive response from the administration. The White House has "aimed" to respond to petitions with 100,000 signatures within 60 days.
Read the full letter to President Obama. Speak out against the Burr-Feinstein proposal.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.