[tmjwid]

I wrote to my MP about this and got a response.

They agreed with me that it is "important to protect users' freedom of expression and personal privacy".

They "do not believe it is right for encrypted messages to become decrypted. There must be a balance between our fundamental right to privacy and keeping people safe online, which raises difficult questions for platforms such as WhatsApp".

But they "do not believe that the legislation impacting private messaging will damage this encryption, as a variety of technologies are emerging that could allow for scanning on issues such as child sexual abuse material while retaining the privacy benefits afforded by end-to-end encryption".

They do note however that having Ofcom be the regulator and monitor isn't right, which seems to have been a bit under reported to my knowledge.

Funnily enough, they did not vote on this matter and I shall be finding out why.

[b800h]

This is an odd one, as it means that OFCOM are now regulating private citizens for the first time, to the best of my knowledge. Hmm, apart from Ham Radio Licenses, I guess.

[denton-scratch]

> They do note however that having Ofcom be the regulator and monitor isn't right

When the UK Government adds yet another enforcement responsibility to OFCOM's list of duties, you know that's a task they don't really want done. OFCOM has always been seriously underfunded. Most of OFCOM's "activity" consists of sending out letters to offenders, drawing their attention to the relevant legislation, and advising them of the steps they should take to come into compliance. Actual fines are as rare as unicorn shit.