
Therefore, here is a short explanation on what exactly that is. Many of the messaging apps which we compare below use the Signal Protocol. The article also provides an overview of the information authorities can request from the individual messenger services. As was reported in December 2021, a dedicated law for a right to encryption is to be introduced, at least in Germany, without backdoors. Time and again, authorities try to build backdoors into encryption, including end-to-end encryption of messenger services. Those opposing such practices can only resort to encryption as self-defense.Įspecially the authorities requesting data from companies situated in the United States should be a crucial reason to securely encrypt one's data. But there are also some western democracies which continuously compromise the right to privacy and legitimate state surveillance.
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Obviously, encryption is essential for those who stand up for minorities and justice in totalitarian regimes and countries where free speech implies fear for one’s personal safety. The latter protect others that entrusted them with their sensitive information.

The former protect themselves, because the sensitive data they have is so explosive that it could threaten their safety. Some use encryption as a self-defense for ideological reasons, for example to claim the right to privacy without compromise, others because without it, their lives would be in danger.Īll over the world, investigative journalists, human rights activists, whistleblowers, and also lawyers, doctors and privacy-conscious individuals rely on secure encryption. Who we defend ourselves against varies, as well as the different reasons why we do so.

In the 21st century encryption has become a mean of self-defense.

