I think the most important issue here, as it often is whenever this idea gets floated, is the technical community and the government are talking past each other.
Perhaps it is entirely true that the government does not intend to create backdoors. But as engineers we increasingly build systems specifically so that even the provider can’t access the data. So when governments describe requirements around lawful access, compelled assistance, or preserving access capabilities, many engineers look at those requirements and conclude: “that is effectively a backdoor.”
The intent may be one thing, but the actual reality is another, and that distinction matters.
I think the most important issue here, as it often is whenever this idea gets floated, is the technical community and the government are talking past each other.
Perhaps it is entirely true that the government does not intend to create backdoors. But as engineers we increasingly build systems specifically so that even the provider can’t access the data. So when governments describe requirements around lawful access, compelled assistance, or preserving access capabilities, many engineers look at those requirements and conclude: “that is effectively a backdoor.”
The intent may be one thing, but the actual reality is another, and that distinction matters.