The event will explore the fundamental role that encryption plays in ensuring cybersecurity and users’ privacy online but also how it can be abused by criminals and how it adds another layer of complexity to criminal investigations. In this context, in the past several national governments have called for Internet Service Providers to implement “software backdoors” to obtain lawful access to private communications of suspected criminals. However, experience has shown that such measures will always be exploited by ill-intentioned hackers, undermining privacy and cybersecurity for all users and businesses online.

We will, therefore, focus on how to ensure a level-playing field of knowledge across policy-makers and stakeholders on the importance of encryption for the functioning of the Internet and on the existing cooperation between ISPs and law enforcement.

For more information, please see the programme below.

Please note this is an MEP only event and those interested are kindly asked to RVSP to Joanna Fliszewska at jf@internetforum.eu.

Encryption and data protection: challenges of law enforcement
18 Feb 2020 | 12.30 – 14.00 | Members’ Salon

Welcome and introduction
Patrick Breyer, MEP and EIF Member

Speakers

Maximilian Schubert, President of EuroISPA

Ceren Ünal, Regional Policy Manager Europe, Internet Society

Birgitta Jónsdóttir, Internet Archive Fellow, Electronic Frontier Foundation

Cathrin Bauer-Bulst, Acting Head of the Cybercrime Unit, European Commission DG HOME

Exchange of views with the participants under the Chatham House rules.

Closing remarks

Rasmus Andresen, MEP and EIF Member