Facebook is often criticized for not doing enough to strengthen user privacy. However, the social media giant has recently found itself being condemned for doing too much to safeguard user communications. That’s because many government officials and advocates are concerned that Facebook’s end-to-end encryption may not only protect everyday users, but also cybercriminals and abusers.

Facebook submits thousands of reports to the U.S. government every year about predators using its platform to abuse children. However, child protection authorities estimate that up to 70% of these reports could be lost if Facebook switches to full end-to-end encrypted messaging. That’s why governments from around the world have come together to ask Facebook to halt its privacy plans.

“Companies should not deliberately design their systems to preclude any form of access to content, even for preventing or investigating the most serious crimes,” British, American and Australian officials wrote in an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg. “We therefore call on Facebook and other companies to […] not to implement the proposed changes until you can ensure that the systems you would apply to maintain the safety of your users are fully tested and operational.”

It’s unclear if Facebook will bow to this global pressure, but at least lawmakers are more vigilant about the company’s practices than they have been in the past.

Recommended Resources

The Choice of Tech Experts Worldwide. Try 90 days free of Bitdefender and experience the highest level of digital safety.

Surf the web truly incognito. Try Bitdefender Premium VPN, the ultra-fast VPN that keeps your online identity and activities safe from hackers, ISPs and snoops.

System Mechanic 14 – Make your computer run like new. Winner of 200+ Editor’s Choice awards!