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Open letter by global coalition to the world’s governments to demand security and encryption for all

By EDRi · January 12, 2016

This week, EDRi member “Access Now” launched the open letter and petition “Secure the Internet” to demand the protection of strong security and encryption tools for all.
The letter addresses the leaders of the world’s governments and can be signed by individuals, organisations and companies:

We encourage you to support the safety and security of users, companies, and governments by strengthening the integrity of communications and systems. In doing so, governments should reject laws, policies, or other mandates or practices, including secret agreements with companies, that limit access to or undermine encryption and other secure communications tools and technologies.

The letter opposes all forms of prohibition, manipulation and undermining of access to encryption tools and technolgies by governments, such as the prohibition of these tools for citizens, backdoors and insecure encryption algorithms.

Users should have the option to use – and companies the option to provide – the strongest encryption available, including end-to-end encryption, without fear that governments will compel access to the content, metadata, or encryption keys without due process and respect for human rights.

You can read the full letter here  and sign as well . So far organisations from several countries have signed, including EDRi, many of our members such as the Chaos Computer Club, Digitale Gesellschaft, Electronic Frontier Foundation, as well as Korean Progressive Network Jinbonet, Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum and Privacy International.