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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

NCA says end-to-end encryption poses challenge for law enforcers on child abuse

Apps are seen on an iPhone screen
WhatsApp already incorporates end-to-end encryption on its messages. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The National Crime Agency has said that end-to-end encryption risks “turning the lights out” for law enforcers trying to prevent child abuse, after the UK data watchdog said failure to introduce strongly encrypted messaging poses a risk to children.

The NCA said referrals from social media companies led to 500 arrests and safeguarded 650 children every month in the UK, but that will become “much more challenging” to achieve under widespread use of end-to-end encryption.

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