End-to-end encryption is a method by which data and messages are only readable for the two parties involved during transmission. In other words, this means that the contents of the communication are encrypted as soon as they leave the sender and are not decrypted again until they reach the recipient. This ensures that no one other than the parties involved, including internet service providers, governments, or even the platform operators, can access the contents.
However, the widespread use of E2EE presents new challenges regarding content moderation. Since online services do not have direct access to the plaintext contents, moderating a variety of content, including malware, spam, hate speech, and terrorist content, is increasingly difficult. This development also has implications for law enforcement. The increasing use of E2EE plays a central role in the discussion around the problem of the „Going Dark“ debate. In this context, investigators are having difficulty conducting electronic surveillance and gathering electronic evidence as they encounter encryptions that cannot be bypassed by online services and device manufacturers. A particular area of concern is the proactive detection of online child abuse. One of the main techniques in this area is hash-matching, where the user’s content is hashed, and the value is compared against a database of known hashes of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). However, in an E2EE environment, this method cannot be directly implemented, as the online service cannot analyze the content.
The rise of end-to-end encryption has been significantly facilitated by the advancement of cryptography and the use of advanced encryption algorithms. One of the most well-known implementations of end-to-end encryption, for example, is the Signal protocol suite. Signal is a secure messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption for voice calls, text messages, file transfers, and more. It has established itself as one of the most trusted and reliable solutions for secure communication. The importance of end-to-end encryption cannot be overstated. It not only ensures the confidentiality of communication but also provides protection against potential attacks and data leaks. This is especially important in times of increasing cybercrime and surveillance.
Despite the challenges, end-to-end encryption remains a crucial tool for protecting privacy and security in the digital world. It allows people to communicate confidentially, exchange sensitive information, and protect themselves from unauthorized access. Its rise has fundamentally changed the way we think about digital communication and will play an increasingly important role in the future to ensure the integrity of our data.
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