Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram offer privacy to their users through encryption. This approach to communications security is becoming increasingly popular, with companies like Kaspersky emphasizing the importance of considering security from the initial stages of a project. Security by design is essential for the future of applications, even if it is currently unprofitable.
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) complements security by design by providing a high level of security and privacy for users. However, E2EE can limit visibility in certain investigations, such as those related to criminal activities like terrorism or drug trafficking. This has led to criticism from authorities who have questioned the use of E2EE due to concerns about potential misuse by criminals or terrorists.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have expressed concern about the use of E2EE in messaging apps. Some authorities have urged technology companies to opt for a security-by-design approach instead of E2EE to facilitate investigations. This highlights the challenge of balancing privacy with the requirements of law enforcement in an ever-evolving landscape of communications security.
Overall, both security by design and E2EE play important roles in enhancing the security and privacy of communications. While E2EE protects the content of messages exchanged between users, security by design ensures that security measures are incorporated into applications from the beginning. It remains a challenge for technology companies and authorities to find a balance between these two approaches while maintaining user privacy and protecting national security interests.
