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<p>The Government is in favour of strong encryption: it is critical to protect UK
citizens from harm online, and billions of people use it every day for a range of
services including banking, commerce and communications.</p><p>However, like many
powerful technologies, encrypted services are abused by a small minority of people.
There is a particular problem with end-to-end encryption where certain providers have
deliberately designed their systems so that even they cannot see the content of the
message.</p><p>The Secretary of State meets with a range of stakeholders to discuss
various issues as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the
case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide
details of all such meetings. However, we are committed to working with service providers
to fulfil our collective responsibility to protect us from terrorists and those who
commit serious crimes, while allowing providers to protect privacy. We are quite clear
that it is essential for law enforcement to access content when there is a clear need
and when properly warranted. The Government will continue to press for that ability.</p><p>A
mature dialogue between government and industry on this issue is crucial, and we expect
them to live up to their responsibilities: working with law enforcement where there
is a warrant authorised by a Secretary of State and approved by a senior judge under
the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.</p>
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