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from the recoil-in-terror-as-mustachioed-Mr.-Encryption-ties-another-child-to-the-train-t dept

Once again, it's time to end encryption... for the children. That's the message being put out by the UK's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). And that message is largely regurgitated word-for-word by Sky News:

In what it is calling the "biggest threat to children online", the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) says safeguards need to be introduced so police can access the data if needed.

"The proposals to extend end-to-end encryption on messaging platforms mean they are essentially putting a blindfold on itself" says Andy Burrows, head of the NSPCC's child safety online policy.

"No longer will the social network be able to identify child abuse images that are being shared on its site, or grooming that's taking place on its site.

"Because abusers know they will be able to operate with impunity, therefore it means that not only will current levels of abuse go largely undetected, but it's highly likely that we'll see more child abuse."

Is it the "biggest threat?" That doesn't seem likely, especially when others who are concerned about the welfare of children say encryption is actually good for kids.

Here's ConnectSafely, a nonprofit headed by Larry Magid, who is on the board National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which operates a clearinghouse for child porn images that helps law enforcement track down violators and rescue exploited children:

Some worry that encryption will make it harder for law enforcement to keep us safe, but I worry that a lack of encryption will make it harder for everyone, including children, to stay safe.

Phones and other digital devices can contain a great deal of personal information, including your current and previous locations, home address, your contacts, records of your calls and your texts, email messages and web searches. Such information, in the hands of a criminal, can not only lead to a violation of you or your childs privacy, but safety as well. Thats why its important to have a strong passcode on your phone as well as a strong password on any cloud backup services But even devices with strong passwords arent necessarily hacker proof, which is why its important that they be encrypted.

And here's UNICEF, which has long been involved with protecting children around the world:

There is no equivocating that child sexual abuse can and is facilitated by the internet and that endto-end encryption of digital communication platforms appears to have significant drawbacks for the global effort to end the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. This includes making it more difficult to identify, investigate and prosecute such offences. Children have a right to be protected from sexual abuse and exploitation wherever it occurs, including online, and states have a duty to take steps to ensure effective protection and an effective response, including support to recover and justice.

At the same time, end-to-end encryption by default on Facebook Messenger and other digital communication platforms means that every single person, whether child or adult, will be provided with a technological shield against violations of their right to privacy and freedom of expression.

Despite this being far more nuanced than the NSPCC is willing to admit, it's helping push legislation in the UK which would result in less child safety, rather than more. The Online Safety Bill would place burdens on communication services to prove they're making every effort to prevent child exploitation. And "everything" means stripping all users of end-to-end encryption because this protective measure means no one but the sender and receiver can see their communications.

The bill would make tech companies responsible for "failing" to police child porn -- with "failure" determined by "aggravating factors" like, you guessed it, offering end-to-end encrypted communications.

The following questions will help ascertain key risk aggravating factors (this is not an exhaustive list). Do your services:

allow users to create, share, promote, repost or share sentiment on any type of content?

offer private messaging spaces (both in access-controlled groups and as 1-to-1 messages)?

offer ephemeral, encrypted or self-deleting content?

use end-to-end encryption to place user content out of reach of provider moderation systems?

offer features that enable exchange of rich media including video (stored and livestreamed), audio, images, link sharing (including via URL shortening services), virtual reality, location sharing and contact details on other platforms or services?

offer user profiles that facilitate adults finding and contacting children and that may enable real-world identification of vulnerable people, including children?

This legislation -- and the cheerleading from entities like the NSPCC -- doesn't really do anything but turn tech companies into handy villains that are far easier (and far more lucrative) to punish. There's not going to be an influx of child porn just because communications are now encrypted. As critics of encryption have pointed out again and again, Facebook reports thousands of illegal images a year. So, a lack of encryption wasn't preventing the distribution of illicit images. Adding encryption to the mix is unlikely to change anything but how much is reported by Facebook.

We all use encryption. (I mean, hopefully.) Having access to encrypted communications hasn't nudged most people into engaging in criminal activity. That the same tech that protects innocent people is utilized by criminals doesn't make the tech inherently evil. It's the people that are evil.

As for law enforcement, it will still have plenty of options. Plenty of images will still be detected because lots of people are lazy or ignorant and use whatever's convenient, rather than what's actually secure. Encryption won't exponentially increase the amount of illicit content circulating the internet. If the FBI (and others) can successfully seize and operate dark web child porn sites, it's safe to say law enforcement will still find ways to arrest suspects and rescue children, even if encryption may make it slightly more difficult to do so.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyones attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

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Filed Under: children's charity, encryption, going dark, think of the children, ukCompanies: nspcc

View post:
UK Child Welfare Charity Latest To Claim Encryption Does Nothing But Protect Criminals - Techdirt

I agree. Using a VPN for social media or reading emails is self defeating as your true identity is revealed anyways. No need for those. Daily web browsing does not need a VPN as there is no need for anonymity on the known internet. Need for a secure connections is normally supported by secure https connections, so using wifi hot spot the HTTPS still provides encryption such as for logins or emails.

What else is left over for some users to use a VPN other than illegal torrenting or something else illegal?

There are some people who need anonymity such as journalists or reports and perhaps gov't branches, but this group of people most likely use the TOR web. Or use both TOR and a VPN.

The VPN original purpose was for having company personnel to safely connect to company servers when away from the office and stayed secure. And this original purpose still exists for these people.

VPN marketing is snake oil. Pure and simple. Never used it and never needed it.

As for needing encrypted files or folders, either this is used for business/extreme security or something illegal.

The web is split off, saved and examined and probably unencrypted by the three letter groups anyways, so is there true privacy when using a VPN anyways? Probably not. Room 641 is just one example of splitting the internet and scanning it...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Room_641A

Edited by 0lds0d, 31 March 2021 - 09:31 AM.

The rest is here:
The use of VPNs and Encryption - General Security - BleepingComputer

The extensive usage of mobile devices, social media, and virtual storage among organizations and consumers has generated huge data which is vulnerable to loss. Such sensitive information is stored in the form of database and is warehoused in data centers or in virtual storages. Furthermore, companies store these databases in heterogeneous environments, ranging from business networks to diverse type of clouds. However, this vast and sensitive information is vulnerable to loss and breaches with the rising number of cyber-attacks. Thus, this encourages organizations to adopt robust database encryption software that offers multilevel encryption, regardless of the heterogeneous environment.

Recently Added a New Report by Big Market Research2021studies theGlobal Database Encryption Marketwith many aspects of the industry like the market size, market status, market trends, and forecast, the report also provides brief information of the competitors and the specific growth opportunities with key market drivers. Market segmentation by companies, region, and type forms an integral part of this report. Historical data available in the report supports the Database Encryption Market development on national, regional and international levels. This is an informative study covering the Database Encryption Market with in-depth analysis and portraying the current state of affairs in the industry.

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Database Encryption Market 2021 Industry Size, Growth, Revenue, Global Statistics and Forecast to 2025 KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper - KSU | The...

Item 1.03 Bankruptcy or Receivership.

Chapter 11 Reorganization Background and Developments

Background. On August 28, 2020, IronClad Encryption Corporation ("IronClad" orthe "Company") filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 ofthe United States Bankruptcy Code, case number 20-34332 (the "Chapter 11 Case")in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas,Houston Division (the "Bankruptcy Court").

The bankruptcy petition and other subsequent documents filed by IronClad asdebtor and other parties-in-interest are available at the court's Internet homepage http://www.txs.uscourts.gov/ or at the Clerk's Office, United StatesBankruptcy Court, P. O. Box 61010, Houston, Texas 77208. If attempting toaccess the court's records, one will need to have a PACER subscription.

Recent developments. On March 17, 2021, at a hearing conducted by theBankruptcy Court, IronClad's Second Amended Combined Plan of Reorganization andDisclosure Statement (the "Plan"), as modified, was confirmed by order of theBankruptcy Court with a scheduled effective date of April 1, 2021. The courtorder confirming the Plan and a copy of the Plan are presented in full detail inExhibits 2.1 and 2.2 and are incorporated by reference into this Item 1.03.

Summary points. Features of the Plan provide for the treatment of six classesfor the claims and interests of creditors and equity holders. The pointssummarized below are not intended to be and are not a complete description ofthe Plan, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text ofthe Plan and related documents in the Exhibits.

Class 1: The Internal Revenue Service

oClaim to be paid in cash if allowed.

Class 2: Unsecured Creditors, Convenience Class

oClaims to be paid as allowed.

Class 3: General Class of Unsecured Claims

oClaims to be paid by promissory note as allowed (see discussion below).

Class 4: Allowed Unsecured Claims of the Lerner Class

oClaim to be paid in cash and promissory note (see below).

Class 5: Allowed Interests of Holders of Classes A and B of Common Stock

oShareholder interests and stock certificates are cancelled (see below).

Class 6: Allowed Interests of Holders of Preferred Stock, Series A

oShareholder interest and stock certificates are cancelled (see below).

Claims are deemed to be allowed unless a party-in-interest files an objection toa particular claim in which case a court order would be necessary to allow theclaim.

Class 3. Each creditor shall receive a Class 3 Plan Note (the "Note"; see formof the note in Exhibit 10.1). The principal amount of each Note will be 50% ofthe amount of the underlying claim and as allowed by a final court order (the"Principal").

Each Note is non-interest bearing, unsecured, and payable in quarterlyinstallments of 1/20th of the original Principal with the first quarterlypayment due on the first business day of the thirteenth month after the date ofthe Note. At its option, IronClad may prepay each Note and by so electing would

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

be entitled to take advantage of defined prepayment discounts ranging from 50%to 10% depending on the timing and election of any prepayment by IronClad.

Class 4. Proofs of claims were filed by a set of individuals referred to as theLerner Parties. IronClad and the Lerner Parties mediated several disputes thatwere settled by a Mediated Settlement Agreement dated February 11, 2021 (a copyof which is included as Exhibit 9 within the Plan).

In exchange for assigning to IronClad the portfolio of patents granted andapplied for since its inception, the Lerner Parties will receive $500,000 incash and a note payable in the amount of $242,000 (the "Lerner Note"). TheLerner Note is secured by the patent portfolio, has an interest rate of zeropercent, and is payable in twelve monthly installments beginning on the last dayof the first month following the closing date of the Plan. IronClad, at itssole election, has the option to pay $142,000 of the loan Lerner Note withinninety days of the date of the note resulting in a waiver of any future paymentsand the loan deemed and marked as "paid in full".

Class 5. The interests of holders of IronClad's Class A and Class B CommonStock (which includes stock holdings, holdings of options and warrants, et al.)will be deemed cancelled. The Class A Common Stock will no longer exist andthus no longer be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ortradable on any stock exchange.

Class 6. The interests of the holder of IronClad's Preferred Stock, Series Awill be deemed cancelled.

Important. On the effective date of the Plan, all rights and interests of theholders of any common or preferred stock will be terminated and those holderswill not receive or retain any property or interest in property based on theirholding of any common or preferred stock.

On the effective date, IronClad will become a private company and will no longermaintain an obligation to be registered with the Securities and ExchangeCommission or to list the equity interest of the reorganized Company with anysecurities exchange.

Item 8.01 Other Events

Cautionary Note about Trading in IronClad's Common Stock

The Company has previously cautioned and continues to caution that trading inits securities during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Petitions is highlyspeculative and poses substantial risks.

IronClad's equity holders will experience a complete loss of the value of theirinvestment due to the complete cancellation of IronClad's Classes A and B of itsCommon Stock.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description

2.1 * Order Confirming Second Amended Plan of Reorganization andApproving Disclosure as filed, heard and confirmed by the court onMarch 17, 2021 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for theSouthern District of Texas, Houston Division, Case Number 20-34332,Document 72 (including its Exhibits A, B and C; total pages: 69)2.2 * Second Amended Combined Plan of Reorganization and DisclosureStatement filed on February 15, 2021 in the United StatesBankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, HoustonDivision, Case Number 20-34332, Document 44 (total pages: 231)2.3 * Order Granting Debtor's Motion to Approve Compromise ofControversies with Lerner Parties as filed and confirmed March 17,2017 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern Districtof Texas, Houston Division, Case Number 20-34332, Document 73(including its Exhibit 1 with sub-Exhibits A, B, C, and D; totalpages: 42)2.4 * Debtor IronClad Encryption Corporation's Motion to ApproveCompromise of Controversies with Lerner Parties , dated February11, 2021, and filed February 15, 2021 with The United StatesBankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, HoustonDivision, Case Number 20-34332, Document 45 and eventually approvedby the court on March 17, 2021 (total pages: 56)10.1 * Form of Promissory Note to be issued to creditors in Class 3 .General Class of Allowed Unsecured Claims

* Filed with this Form 8-K.

Edgar Online, source Glimpses

Read the original post:
IRONCLAD ENCRYPTION CORP : Bankruptcy or Receivership, Other Events, Financial Statements and Exhibits (form 8-K) - marketscreener.com

As of March 29, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has implemented significant modifications to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that relax requirements on the classification and reporting of mass-market encryption items and on email notifications previously required for publicly available encryption source code and beta test software. The new rule also implements revisions that impact 22 dual-use technologies; these changes generally narrow the scope of the controls or provide clarification on the existing entries. The amendments conform the EAR with changes agreed upon by the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, a multilateral export control regime of which the United States is a member.

Changes to Requirements for Classification and Reporting for Mass-Market Encryption Items

First, BIS no longer requires submission of a classification request for mass-market encryption components (including chipsets, chips, and assemblies), toolsets, and toolkits (such as software development kits (SDKs)). These mass-market encryption items were previously approved for export under Section 740.17(b)(3) after submission of a classification request to BIS. Now, these encryption items can be self-classified under Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) 5A992.c. and 5D992.c., as mass-market items under Section 740.17(b)(1) of the EAR, as long as they do not use non-standard cryptography (i.e., proprietary encryption). Additionally, the executable software related to the encryption components, defined as software in executable form from an existing hardware component and excluding complete binary images of the "software" running on an end item, can also be self-classified as a mass-market item under this provision. Items using non-standard cryptography remain classified under Section 740.17(b)(3)(ii) of the EAR and continue to require the submission of a classification request prior to export.

Second, self-classification reporting, which is due on February 1 of each year, is not required for mass-market toolkits or SDKs. Mass-market items that are components and the related executable code require the filing of an annual self-classification report.

These significant liberalizations should save considerable effort on the part of exporters who have mass-market products; companies can now forego the filing of classification requests and annual reports for the designated encryption items. BIS estimates that the reduction in self-classification reporting will reduce the number of filed reports by 60 percent. The changes do not impact non-mass-market encryption items classified under ECCNs 5A002 and 5D002.

Elimination of Other Encryption-Related Reporting Requirements

Additionally, companies no longer need to submit to BIS an email notification under Section 742.15(b) of the EAR, the former "TSU notification" for most publicly available source code. Similar to the changes related to mass-market items, publicly available source code using non-standard encryption continues to require notification.

Finally, BIS eliminated the reporting requirement for beta test encryption software under license exception TMP (for temporary exports)again, as long as the product does not implement non-standard cryptography.

BIS estimates that these modifications should reduce the number of email notifications by 80 percent.

Other Changes to the CCL

In addition to the mass-market encryption amendments, the new rule implements various changes to other ECCNs on the EAR's Commerce Control List (CCL). These revisions impact 22 dual-use technologies, including body armor, metal alloys, optical sensors, and spacecraft-related software. Most of the changes either narrow the scope of the controls or provide clarification on existing entries. For items such as ECCN 1B002 (metal alloy production equipment), the rule expands the definition by removing certain language ("specially designed") from the entry. The rule does not add any new ECCNs to the CCL, nor does it identify additional emerging or foundational technologies (as BIS'October 2020 final ruledid).

Original post:
U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security Relaxes Several Classification and Reporting Requirements for Encryption Items - JD...