RantCrush Top 5: March 28, 2017

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd has demanded that the mobile phone messaging app WhatsApp, and other tech companies, build a “backdoor” into their apps so that law enforcement can access encrypted content to avoid future terrorist attacks. Khalid Masood, who was behind last week’s terror attack in London, reportedly used WhatsApp moments before the attack.

But critics of Rudd say she’s being naïve and that there’s not much point in trying to implement domestic restrictions, as most of the tech companies are global or foreign and mainly based in America. Rudd’s request also raises ethical questions about how much the state can spy on its citizens. Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick said this would only serve in the terrorists’ interests, by “destroying our freedoms and undermine our Democratic society.” British government officials will discuss the matter with U.S. representatives from tech companies on Thursday.

UK Home Secretary demands WhatsApp ends encryption. Also displays dazzling comprehension of the interwebs https://t.co/JwZrHL5RId pic.twitter.com/CfJLVtyE3s

— Lauren Dobson-Hughes (@ldobsonhughes) March 26, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.