Tech firms privacy protections questioned after Westminster attack

Google, Twitter (Frankfurt: A1W6XZ - news) and Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) will be asked later to explain their positions on extremist content on their platforms and on government access to encrypted communications of the public.

After the Westminster attack, Amber Rudd said police and intelligence agencies need access to messages sent on WhatsApp and other encrypted services like Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL - news) 's iMessage and Telegram.

Technology companies have resisted the move, saying it would make millions of users less safe online.

Speaking to Sky News, the Home Secretary said: "Just to be clear - all I am trying to have potential access to is for the intelligence services, under warrant from the Home Secretary, to be able to find out where and how the terrorists are talking to each other.

"That's completely different to what is sometimes being suggested in terms of end-to-end encryption - I don't want to do that, I recognise the importance of cyber security, a secure cyber environment is incredibly important for our economy and our country.

"But should the terrorists have somewhere safe to hide? No, I don't think they should and I'm talking to organisations to find out what else they can do to help us find a solution to this."

It is unclear what distinction the Home Secretary is drawing between different types of encryption.

Technology experts say that a partial or selective weakening of encryption on an app is impossible.

Antony Walker, deputy CEO of TechUK, a trade association for tech organisations, told Sky News: "End-to-end encryption is incredibly important to the UK's national security.

"The question is then: what role does it play in terms of these messaging services?

"What is very clear is that end-to-end encryption is binary: you either have it or you don't.

"There's no real way you can have a back door into these services that won't eventually become an open door to criminals and terrorists and hostile states."

In fact, the Government already has the legal power to compel technology companies to hand over unencrypted data, as part of the Investigatory Powers Act, or so-called Snoopers' Charter, passed last year.

So far, this power remains untested.

Lord Carlile QC, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told Sky News: "The Government has little appetite for either going to court against technology companies or enlarging the legal provisions.

"And they're right about that. It is to be hoped that technology companies can be persuaded they should co-operate fully.

"If they don't of course, we'll have to think again."

On Wednesday, the acting head of Scotland Yard, Craig Mackey, said the Westminster attack must act as a "wake up" call for tech companies.