Exhibit A: Senate Bill 4051, the “Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act”,
which was quietly introduced last week when everyone’s attention was
consumed elsewhere.
At its core, the LEAD Act is an encryption killer. It aims to require
technology companies to build ‘back doors’ into their products to ensure
that the government can remotely access your data, your device, and your
life.
Under the LEAD Act, this practice would become illegal. Apple would no
longer be able to offer device encryption, and they’d have to provide a way
for the federal government to remotely access your device, and all of its
contents. The same goes for your favorite chat applications.
Facebook will be obligated to build in a ‘back door’ for the government to
remotely access your conversations.
LEAD also requires developers of operating systems, like Microsoft Windows
and Apple’s MacOS, to provide backdoor access to your computer.
It’s extraordinary to think of how far-reaching the effects of this
legislation will go.
For example, do you use an online password manager like OnePassword?
They will also be required to give the government access to your data…
which essentially would give the government access to EVERYTHING you do
online.
Do you upload files and photos to iCloud? Yup. That too. Apple will be
required to build a back door and give the government access to your data.
Any ‘zero knowledge’ encryption, whether it’s for storing files, sharing
photos, texting friends, making video calls, sending encrypted emails,
etc., will become illegal under this legislation.
And to be crystal clear about what that means, CRYPTOCURRENCY will
effectively become illegal under the LEAD Act as well.
That’s right. Cryptocurrency relies on data encryption too.
Your ‘wallet’ is essentially a public key / private key combination. And in
theory, only you are supposed to have access.
But that’s exactly what this legislation aims to prevent. The government
wants backdoor access to everything.
