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Nick Clegg is to be summoned to parliament to give evidence on Facebooks plans to encrypt its Messenger service, the Telegraph has discovered.

The Science and Expertise choose committee voted Tuesday morning to maintain a rare session on the corporates plans, which the Dwelling Secretary criticised final week as doubtlessly making a digital blindspot for terrorists and paedophiles to exploit.

Norman Lamb, the committees chair, mentioned MPs needed a Facebook government of Sir Nicks seniority to give evidence due to the significance of the choice to introduce encryption.

Talking to the Telegraph, Mr Lamb mentioned: We have now determined to proceed with the evidence session on the encryption difficulty and can be asking Nick Clegg to give evidence together with a minister. That is clearly a extremely vital determination by them (Facebook).

It can be crucial that there be parliamentary scrutiny, not simply on this nation however different nations are having this debate as effectively. We determined to name him as we wish to perceive how they (Facebook) will steadiness the competing pursuits between privateness, safety and legislation enforcement.

Facebook is going through intense criticism over plans to implement end-to-end encryption in its Messenger app, which has a couple of billion customers worldwide.

Asserting the choice earlier this 12 months, Facebook CEO MarkZuckerberg mentioned it might imply even Facebook would be unable to see what customers have been sending to one another.

Final week the Dwelling Secretary, Priti Patel, wrote to Mr Zuckerberg warning the transfer would make it tougher for police to catch terrorists and baby abusers.

She mentioned: Corporations mustnt design their platforms to create a digital blind spot the place paedophiles and terrorists have free rein to conceal their despicable crimes.

This isnt about only one firm. Nevertheless, were notably involved about Facebooks present proposal to apply end-to-end encryption throughout its messaging companies.

The corporate additionally got here below fireplace from Chief Constable Simon Bailey, the Nationwide Police Chiefs Councils lead on baby safety, who mentioned the encryption plan would knowingly put the protection of kids in danger.

Sir Nick joined the social media big final 12 months as its head of world affairs and communications, reporting immediately to Mr Zuckerberg, 35.

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Nick Clegg to be summoned to Parliament to give evidence on Facebook encryption - Sunriseread