encryption

The Justice Department has placed a high national security priority on its probe of the shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, insisting that investigators must get access to data from two locked and encrypted iPhones that belonged to the all

National

Trump Administration Targets Your 'Warrant-Proof' Encrypted Messages

8:47am February 21, 2020

by Martin Kaste

Encryption is going mainstream, and some tech companies "throw away the key" so they can't decrypt messages even when police get a warrant. The government says that's taking privacy too far.

Queue Listen Now

The FBI acknowledged this week it has significantly over-counted the number of encrypted phones it has failed to open.

National

FBI Over-Counted Encrypted Phones Connected To Crimes — By A Lot

9:13pm May 23, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

For about seven months, the bureau has been telling Congress and the public that potential evidence on nearly 7,800 blocked devices continues to elude investigators. Those numbers are way off.

The FBI is struggling to access the cellphone of the Texas church shooter, which is reportedly an iPhone, reigniting the debate over encryption.

Texas Gunman's Locked Cellphone Renews Debate Over Encryption

7:04pm November 09, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

The FBI is blaming its inability to unlock the cellphone of the Texas shooter on the tech industry's encryption standard. But some experts say if the FBI had acted more quickly, it would have access.

The Washington Post and other media organizations have launched webpages outlining ways you can leak information to them confidentially.

How The Media Are Using Encryption Tools To Collect Anonymous Tips

3:43pm February 27, 2017

by Sam Sanders

Technology has made for more ways to leak scoops to the press than ever before. And newsrooms across the country are taking advantage of that.

Queue Listen Now

The people involved in organizing and promoting cryptoparties say the presidential election spurred activists, journalists and everyday citizens to attend the get-togethers to learn how to anonymously use the Internet.

Cryptoparties Teach Attendees How To Stay Anonymous Online

4:33pm February 06, 2017

by Jon Kalish

In these days of cyber intrigue, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens are interested in learning how to navigate the Internet anonymously. At cryptoparties, they learn how to do just that.

A Year After San Bernardino And Apple-FBI, Where Are We On Encryption?

1:00pm December 03, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

The shooting a year ago started a heated debate about government access to secured devices. As such access keeps getting more restricted, calls for "back doors" continue and questions remain.

Yahoo Chief Information Security Officer Bob Lord on encryption: "Yes, it's used by terrorists. It's also used by people who are looking to voice their opinions on issues and to save lives."

Yahoo's Security Chief On Encryption Debate: What Is The Greater Good?

5:31pm April 28, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

When Bob Lord talks about encryption, he invokes the imagery of a whisper — the idea that you should be able to re-create the most private means of physical communication in the digital world as well.

FBI Director James Comey testifies March 1 before the House Judiciary Committee on the encryption of the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino attackers.

National

FBI Explains Why It Won't Disclose How It Unlocked iPhone

6:39pm April 27, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

The agency says it doesn't have the rights to the technical details of the unlocking method, and so it can't submit it to a special review that would have determined whether Apple should be informed.

The sculpture of the Android mascot sits at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. The Android security chief says it's time for both sides of the encryption debate to provide real information, not just anecdotes.

National

Google Exec: Encryption Debate Lacks Evidence, On Both Sides

1:27pm April 20, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

Google's chief of Android security says it's time for both sides of the encryption debate to provide real information, not just anecdotes.

FBI Executive Assistant Director for Science and Technology Amy Hess (from left) testifies on encryption Tuesday before a House panel, alongside the New York City Police Department's Thomas Galati and Indiana State Police Office Capt. Charles Cohen.

National

Lawful Hacking: Should, Or Can, The FBI Learn To Overcome Encryption Itself?

4:08pm April 19, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

A major theme in the latest congressional hearing on encryption was whether the FBI, rather than asking tech companies for cooperation, has focused enough resources to keep up with technology itself.