Encrypting Traffic: A Proposal for Encrypting Online Messaging Applications

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a balanced assessment of the effects of encryption across a wide spectrum of issues. We analyze the trade-offs faced by encrypting communications for three separate activities: human rights activism, sharing of child exploitation imagery, and drug trafficking. This paper concludes with an assessment of potential policies and identifies a policy proposal. We find that maintaining the option for users to elect to have their communications encrypted is necessary to maintain in order to preserve the security of users, including military personnel. Further investment in law enforcement to fully utilize the vast repertoire of tools currently available in conjunction with fostering collaboration between users and law enforcement would yield a suitable direction for future treatment of encryption technology by governments and corporations.