Security Of User Data Enhanced By Google, Facebook

Google and Facebook are currently working on securing the data of their users. The messages of the WhatsApp instant messaging service of Facebook are already encrypted. The company is also working on applying encryption to group messages and voice calls of the service, according to The Guardian. The social network is also working on improving security for the Messenger chat tool.

On the other hand, Google is looking into the possibility of using the encryption it uses for emails to its other products. The Guardian also revealed that Snapchat is developing increased security for its messaging system.

The battle between Apple and the US Department of Justice put the spotlight on encryption. The Justice Department wants an iPhone 5C used by one of the San Bernardino shooters to be unlocked by the tech giant. However, The Guardian indicated that efforts on enhancing encryption by tech companies began prior to the legal tussle between Apple and the DOJ.

Security Of User Data Enhanced By Google, Facebook - image credit: en.wikipedia.org

The move of tech companies in expanding encryption for all their services comes as the struggle between the US government and Silicon Valley grows. Security has been prioritized by tech companies in an effort to convince users that their information is fully protected. However, law enforcement officials and the US government have argued that access to information is essential in their investigations on terrorist and criminal activities.

Apple is resisting a court order requiring the company to unlock the iPhone used in the massacre last December. The company said unlocking the iPhone will result to a back door that can be used on other iPhones. The Guardian said the tech company is working with security experts in preventing the US government from compelling them to turn over user information. A hearing on March 22 will look into the deadlock between the FBI and Apple in a Riverside, California federal court.

Aside from enhancing encryption for their products, a number of tech companies have signed legal briefs to support the legal fight of Apple against the US government. Social networks also provided assistance to the government in fighting terrorist organizations by removing content and accounts of these organizations.

While the government is insisting it needs to bypass encryption to look into information of suspected terrorists and criminals, it does not want the encryption to be weakened that can provide foreign organizations to hack US networks ad products. Some industry watchers suggested turning over metadata to the government while keeping content encrypted. While the content remains secure, it provides the names of individuals sending messages as well as the time and location of the messages.

Posted by George Daniels on Wednesday March 16 2016, 8:48 PM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Technology. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0