The United States has seen massive data breaches over the recent years and months, and scrutiny over how the federal government secures data and information access has understandably increased. The Snowden leak has proved many to question the attitude of the federal government towards surveillance and access to confidential information in private systems.
This may have pushed U.S. President Barack Obama to suggest that the law enforcement should be allowed access to encrypted data. The opinion was met with raised eyebrows by security experts and privacy advocates alike. But almost a year after voicing the opinion, it seems that the administration has changed its mind, and technology firms laud the decision.
"We are actively engaged with private companies to ensure they understand the public safety and national security risks that result from malicious actors' use of their encrypted products and services. However, the administration is not seeking legislation at this time." White House spokesman Mark Stroh said in an issued statement.
Bloomberg reported that the above statement is the last say about striking the balance between protecting data and national security. The decision has been discussed on Thursday by FBI director James Comey. Despite not seeking legislation, the administration has made it clear that it still expects the full cooperation of tech firms, even as some of them, like Cupertino-based Apple Inc., expressed that they do not want to become an arm of the government in processing customer data.
Tech companies have expressed that this is a victory for their businesses. "This is a big win for tech companies," Veracode Inc. co-founder Chris Wysopal said. At the same time, Wysopal added that as long as the government pushes to get information, law enforcement forcing to gain access to information will not stop.
