China wants encryption cracked on demand because ... er, terrorism
Found on The Register on Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Under the new legislation, organizations in China will have to "offer technological assistance and cooperation with security departments to help prevent and investigate terrorist activities." In practical terms, that means cracking the encryption in an app or device when the police come knocking.
It would appear China, while drafting its antiterror law, got its inspiration from CALEA: America's Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, which requires telecoms companies to help the FBI and other g-men spy on people, provided the agents have a court's approval.
It's only fair. If the "good guys" can demand full access, so can the "bad guys". Maybe politicians should think twice before making such demands.