Encryption Has Foiled Wiretaps for First Time Ever, Feds Say

For the first time, encryption is thwarting government surveillance efforts through court-approved wiretaps, U.S. officials said today.

Consider that, when federal law enforcement officials were clamoring for legislation authorizing a backdoor into most all electronic communication methods during the President Bill Clinton administration, FBI Director Louis Freeh told Congress in 1997, “all of law enforcement is also in total agreement on one aspect of encryption. The widespread use of uncrackable encryption will devastate our ability to fight crime and prevent terrorism.”