Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8). On Wednesday, Meta said that the end-to-end encryption feature would be available for use immediately. However, it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to be updated with default end-to-end encryption.

Encryption hides the contents of a message from anyone apart from the sender and the recipient by converting text and images into unreadable cyphers that are unscrambled on receipt. Meta has argued that encryption can help keep users safe from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals.

However, prosecutors and child safety groups said that the encryption would hamstring the rescue of child sex trafficking victims and the prosecution of predators.

The Guardian report on Friday said that social media companies have been legally obligated to send any evidence of child sexual abuse material they detect to the United States' National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children (NCMEC). From here, the evidence is forwarded to relevant domestic and international law enforcement agencies.

An NCMEC spokesperson said that encryption on platforms "without the ability to detect known child sexual abuse material and create actionable reports will immediately cripple online child protection as we know it."

“NCMEC anticipates the number of reports of suspected child sexual abuse from the larger reporting companies will plummet by close to 80 per cent,” the spokesperson added.

Ali Burns, an assistant US attorney in Illinois, also told the publication that the identification and rescue of exploited children would be made more difficult by encryption, as investigators would often only be able to identify victims by gaining access to a suspect’s social media accounts and private messages.

“It would make it more challenging to corroborate evidence, to be able to verify. I can see this being a challenge for law enforcement,” Burns added.

Civil groups, however, argued that encryption protects individuals’ data and free expression, the report said.

In October, the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit human rights organisation, said, "This level of security not only protects individuals from cyber-attacks but also empowers citizens to communicate freely without fear of surveillance, censorship, and warrantless searches – whether by the government, Big Tech, data brokers, or anyone else."

(With inputs from agencies)

Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8).

Social media giant Meta's decision to start fully encrypting messages on Facebook and Messenger has been criticised by US prosecutors and child safety groups, a report by The Guardian said late Friday (Dec 8). On Wednesday, Meta said that the end-to-end encryption feature would be available for use immediately. However, it may take some time for all Messenger accounts to be updated with default end-to-end encryption. Encryption hides the contents of a message from anyone apart from the sender and the recipient by converting text and images into unreadable cyphers that are unscrambled on receipt. Meta has argued that encryption can help keep users safe from hackers, fraudsters, and criminals. However, prosecutors and child safety groups said that the encryption would hamstring the rescue of child sex trafficking victims and the prosecution of predators. The Guardian report on Friday said that social media companies have been legally obligated to send any evidence of child sexual abuse material they detect to the United States' National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). From here, the evidence is forwarded to relevant domestic and international law enforcement agencies. An NCMEC spokesperson said that encryption on platforms "without the ability to detect known child sexual abuse material and create actionable reports will immediately cripple online child protection as we know it." “NCMEC anticipates the number of reports of suspected child sexual abuse from the larger reporting companies will plummet by close to 80 per cent,” the spokesperson added. Ali Burns, an assistant US attorney in Illinois, also told the publication that the identification and rescue of exploited children would be made more difficult by encryption, as investigators would often only be able to identify victims by gaining access to a suspect’s social media accounts and private messages. “It would make it more challenging to corroborate evidence, to be able to verify. I can see this being a challenge for law enforcement,” Burns added. Civil groups, however, argued that encryption protects individuals’ data and free expression, the report said. In October, the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit human rights organisation, said, "This level of security not only protects individuals from cyber-attacks but also empowers citizens to communicate freely without fear of surveillance, censorship, and warrantless searches – whether by the government, Big Tech, data brokers, or anyone else." (With inputs from agencies)

Meta's decision to encrypt messages on Facebook, Messenger criticised. Here's why

Twitter CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features.&nbsp;

The popular micro-blogging platform was among the Forbes top 10 global apps with the most monthly active users in 2022. Twitter also said earlier this week that it will start a cleansing process by removing and archiving accounts that have been inactive for several years.

“With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly," Elon Musk tweeted.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-will-ban-anonymous-accounts-on-social-media-government-decree-likely-590723">Vietnam will ban anonymous accounts on social media, government decree likely</a>

“The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if there was a gun to my head. Coming soon will be voice and video chat from your handle to anyone on this platform, so you can talk to people anywhere in the world without giving them your phone number," he added.

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With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. 
 
Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly. The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1656084243905384449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, Musk announced plans for ‘Twitter 2.0 The Everything App’, which could allow long-form tweets, payments, and encrypted direct messages.&nbsp;

Direct messaging will be available on Twitter starting from Wednesday. However, it’s not clear if calls will be encrypted as well.&nbsp;

Talking about the two new features, Twitter Support wrote, “Introducing DM Replies! You can now reply to any message you receive in DMs, making conversations smoother and more intuitive.”

Watch |&nbsp;Elon Musk spearheads Twitter's 'cleanup' campaign

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The app will also add a new Emoji Picker to DMs, like other apps, which will allow users to react to messages with a wider range of emojis.&nbsp;

Twitter Support added that the platform is working on improving these features while asking for suggestions from Twitter users regarding the new features.&nbsp;

Some new features added and removed to Twitter in recent past

$8 for blue tick

On November 1 last year, Musk announced that it will now charge users $8 per month for a blue checkmark on the app. The option to pay for a blue tick was revoked&nbsp;after a slew of fake accounts impersonating celebrities and brands paid for the feature and tweeted false information. The subscription was relaunched later.

Edit button

On September 1, 2022, Twitter announced that it has started testing the ‘edit button.’ This feature will allow users to alter the tweets within 30 minutes after they are published.&nbsp;

Twitter circle

Twitter Circle, announced in May 2022 allows users to share content with a smaller audience. The feature allows users to choose up to 150 people who will be able to view their tweets when using the feature. This feature appears to be the same as Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced new features of calling and encrypted messaging on Tuesday. These new features are in line with the likes of other social media applications, Facebook and Instagram, which have similar features. The popular micro-blogging platform was among the Forbes top 10 global apps with the most monthly active users in 2022. Twitter also said earlier this week that it will start a cleansing process by removing and archiving accounts that have been inactive for several years. “With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly," Elon Musk tweeted. Also Read | Vietnam will ban anonymous accounts on social media, government decree likely “The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if there was a gun to my head. Coming soon will be voice and video chat from your handle to anyone on this platform, so you can talk to people anywhere in the world without giving them your phone number," he added. With latest version of app, you can DM reply to any message in the thread (not just most recent) and use any emoji reaction. Release of encrypted DMs V1.0 should happen tomorrow. This will grow in sophistication rapidly. The acid test is that I could not see your DMs even if… — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2023 × Earlier, Musk announced plans for ‘Twitter 2.0 The Everything App’, which could allow long-form tweets, payments, and encrypted direct messages. Direct messaging will be available on Twitter starting from Wednesday. However, it’s not clear if calls will be encrypted as well. Talking about the two new features, Twitter Support wrote, “Introducing DM Replies! You can now reply to any message you receive in DMs, making conversations smoother and more intuitive.” Watch | Elon Musk spearheads Twitter's 'cleanup' campaign × The app will also add a new Emoji Picker to DMs, like other apps, which will allow users to react to messages with a wider range of emojis. Twitter Support added that the platform is working on improving these features while asking for suggestions from Twitter users regarding the new features. Some new features added and removed to Twitter in recent past $8 for blue tick On November 1 last year, Musk announced that it will now charge users $8 per month for a blue checkmark on the app. The option to pay for a blue tick was revoked after a slew of fake accounts impersonating celebrities and brands paid for the feature and tweeted false information. The subscription was relaunched later. Edit button On September 1, 2022, Twitter announced that it has started testing the ‘edit button.’ This feature will allow users to alter the tweets within 30 minutes after they are published. Twitter circle Twitter Circle, announced in May 2022 allows users to share content with a smaller audience. The feature allows users to choose up to 150 people who will be able to view their tweets when using the feature. This feature appears to be the same as Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Twitter 2.0? Musk says Twitter to soon allow voice & video calls, encrypt messaging

Encryption (encoding a message to hide its true meaning) is a common feature that all digital communications services and applications claim to offer. However, when it comes to communication between the Armed Forces, an extra level of security and robustness is a must-have. With rapid leaps in quantum computing, it has become possible to intercept and decrypt (decipher the hidden contents of a message) even encrypted digital communications. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to have a secure means of communication that is not susceptible to even quantum computers' decrypting capabilities. Scytale Alpha, an Indian start-up run by a veteran fighter pilot and a former DRDO scientist supported by a team of technology and security experts, recently won the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Open Challenge (IDEX SPRINT) for developing a 'Secure Audio-Visual Communication Suite' for the Indian Navy.

By involving MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&amp;D institutes, and academia, Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the aegis of India's Department of Defence Production (DDP) aims to create an eco-system that will help India achieve self-reliance and foster innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors.

Wing Commander Satyam Kushwaha (retired), Director, Scytale Alpha said that the Quantum Secure Solution that they have developed ensures secure audio-video-text communication that is immune to quantum computing-based attacks. "This is something we have developed from the bottom up. Free services also promise encryption, but our service is a paid one and only sold to Government and those working in the strategic, sensitive sectors," he said. Queried about the means of communication that this product would use, he said that it would work based on the internet or a restricted local network such as an intranet.

He explained to WION that their product is a portable, table-sized box that measures 3 feet by 3 feet and can offer an unlimited range for audio-video communications. The device can also be fitted onto ships and similar military platforms. The availability of space-based internet services would further augment the reach and connectivity of this product, he said. After the company develops the customised hardware and software, the completed product is handed over to the customer and they enjoy full control over it, he adds. At the Aero India expo that took place in Bengaluru, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the leadership of India's tri-services, as well as some Foreign Defence Services, experienced a live demonstration of the product.

Encryption (encoding a message to hide its true meaning) is a common feature that all digital communications services and applications claim to offer. However, when it comes to communication between the Armed Forces, an extra level of security and robustness is a must-have.

Encryption (encoding a message to hide its true meaning) is a common feature that all digital communications services and applications claim to offer. However, when it comes to communication between the Armed Forces, an extra level of security and robustness is a must-have. With rapid leaps in quantum computing, it has become possible to intercept and decrypt (decipher the hidden contents of a message) even encrypted digital communications. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to have a secure means of communication that is not susceptible to even quantum computers' decrypting capabilities. Scytale Alpha, an Indian start-up run by a veteran fighter pilot and a former DRDO scientist supported by a team of technology and security experts, recently won the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Open Challenge (IDEX SPRINT) for developing a 'Secure Audio-Visual Communication Suite' for the Indian Navy. By involving MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia, Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the aegis of India's Department of Defence Production (DDP) aims to create an eco-system that will help India achieve self-reliance and foster innovation in the defence and aerospace sectors. Wing Commander Satyam Kushwaha (retired), Director, Scytale Alpha said that the Quantum Secure Solution that they have developed ensures secure audio-video-text communication that is immune to quantum computing-based attacks. "This is something we have developed from the bottom up. Free services also promise encryption, but our service is a paid one and only sold to Government and those working in the strategic, sensitive sectors," he said. Queried about the means of communication that this product would use, he said that it would work based on the internet or a restricted local network such as an intranet. He explained to WION that their product is a portable, table-sized box that measures 3 feet by 3 feet and can offer an unlimited range for audio-video communications. The device can also be fitted onto ships and similar military platforms. The availability of space-based internet services would further augment the reach and connectivity of this product, he said. After the company develops the customised hardware and software, the completed product is handed over to the customer and they enjoy full control over it, he adds. At the Aero India expo that took place in Bengaluru, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the leadership of India's tri-services, as well as some Foreign Defence Services, experienced a live demonstration of the product.

Indian firm run by Military & DRDO veterans develops hack-proof video conference solution for Indian Navy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tit-for-tat-russia-to-expel-us-diplomats-sanction-officials-378028">(FBI</a>) in the US along with police officers in over a dozen countries cracked down on mafia groups, crime syndicates and criminal networks as part of operation "Trojan Shield" leading to the arrest of 800 people worldwide.

Watch:

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The FBI, along with the drug enforcement administration, Australian police, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europol-says-800-arrested-worldwide-in-huge-crime-sting-390137">Europol</a> and other law enforcement partners launched their own encrypted communications platform and supplied more than 12,000 devices to criminal organisations that operate around the globe, the US law enforcement agency said.

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800 Criminals Arrested in Biggest Ever Law Enforcement Operation Against Encrypted Communication: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FBI</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AusFedPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AusFedPolice</a> launched an encrypted communication platform and sold thousands of encrypted devices to criminal groups throughout the world. <a href="https://t.co/3VUURbNJg9">https://t.co/3VUURbNJg9</a> <a href="https://t.co/hAzkv1pglO">pic.twitter.com/hAzkv1pglO</a>
— FBI (@FBI) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI/status/1402296182488043524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The FBI and Australian police launched an encrypted communication platform and sold thousands of encrypted devices to criminal groups throughout the world, the US agency revealed.

"Criminal organizations that rely on hardened, stripped-down devices to send encrypted messages may learn this week they have been using a platform operated by the very investigators they are trying to thwart," the FBI said.

Operation Trojan Shield was conceived by Australian police and the FBI three years ago.

Suzanne Turner, FBI's San Diego special agent-in-charge said: "The FBI received a copy of each and every message that originated outside the United States&nbsp;which were reviewed and then disseminated to law enforcement agencies in 40 countries."

Turner informed that 9,000 law enforcement officers participated in Monday's crackdown on criminal gangs.

Australian police informed that 200 people have been charged as Sweden arrested 155 people. Finland said it had arrested 100 people. In Germany, 70 people were detained with several arrests in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

The FBI said that the operation will have far-reaching, "long-term transnational effects on these organizations and their ability to communicate and coordinate their criminal activities."

(With inputs from Agencies)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US along with police officers in over a dozen countries cracked down on mafia groups, crime syndicates and criminal networks as part of operation "Trojan Shield" leading to the arrest of 800 people worldwide.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US along with police officers in over a dozen countries cracked down on mafia groups, crime syndicates and criminal networks as part of operation "Trojan Shield" leading to the arrest of 800 people worldwide. Watch: The FBI, along with the drug enforcement administration, Australian police, Europol and other law enforcement partners launched their own encrypted communications platform and supplied more than 12,000 devices to criminal organisations that operate around the globe, the US law enforcement agency said. 800 Criminals Arrested in Biggest Ever Law Enforcement Operation Against Encrypted Communication: The #FBI and @AusFedPolice launched an encrypted communication platform and sold thousands of encrypted devices to criminal groups throughout the world. https://t.co/3VUURbNJg9 pic.twitter.com/hAzkv1pglO — FBI (@FBI) June 8, 2021 × The FBI and Australian police launched an encrypted communication platform and sold thousands of encrypted devices to criminal groups throughout the world, the US agency revealed. "Criminal organizations that rely on hardened, stripped-down devices to send encrypted messages may learn this week they have been using a platform operated by the very investigators they are trying to thwart," the FBI said. Operation Trojan Shield was conceived by Australian police and the FBI three years ago. Suzanne Turner, FBI's San Diego special agent-in-charge said: "The FBI received a copy of each and every message that originated outside the United States which were reviewed and then disseminated to law enforcement agencies in 40 countries." Turner informed that 9,000 law enforcement officers participated in Monday's crackdown on criminal gangs. Australian police informed that 200 people have been charged as Sweden arrested 155 people. Finland said it had arrested 100 people. In Germany, 70 people were detained with several arrests in the Netherlands and New Zealand. The FBI said that the operation will have far-reaching, "long-term transnational effects on these organizations and their ability to communicate and coordinate their criminal activities." (With inputs from Agencies)

How the FBI along with global law enforcement agencies conducted operation Trojan Shield

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