Banning encryption wouldn't stop ISIS

Posted in Opinion on 2015-11-20

Some politicians have taken the Paris attacks to push the idea that citizens should be banned from using encryption, or that the encryption everyone uses should be weakened somehow.

Basic technical knowledge says this won’t work.

1. ISIS are evidently capable of supplying members with explosive vests and firearms. Sending encryption software would be considerably easier.
2. ISIS already have their own encryption software. Even if standard encryption services were weakened, terrorist communication would still be secure.
3. Weakening the security of all ordinary citizens increases their risk of crime and terrorism, on a national or even global scale.