Instant messaging service WhatsApp has rejected a request from the U.K. government to offer access to encrypted messages, Sky News reports. A security source said, “It is crucially important that we can access their communications — and when we can't, it can provide a black hole for investigators.” While WhatsApp has responded that there is a practice in place to “carefully review, validate, and respond to law enforcement requests based on applicable law and policy,” it also explains that it is unable to provide the requested data because it is not collected. Security professionals argue that creating a backdoor for the government would weaken encryption for everyone, but U.K. intelligence officials believe a compromise could be possible.
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