Chaos Computer Club contradicts EU, demands full encryption

Germany's main hackers' association contradicted EU security officials on Thursday by demanding strictly confidential data handling across the board online, using readily available encryption methods.

This follows a briefing paper for EU interior ministers released by the EU's counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove on Wednesday in the wake of this month's terror attacks in Paris.

EU's De Kerchove wants "back doors" to consumers' data

The EU paper said Internet and communications companies should be "obliged" to "provide" authorities in EU member nations with electronic access keys, sometimes called "back doors."

Responding, the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) said on its blog Thursday that "anyone who transfers or archives customers' data unencrypted and thereby endangers their security must face significant penalties."

Secure public, instead of 'militarization'

The CCC demanded that the millions spent by nations to "militarize" networks to spy on their citizens be invested instead in the construction of secure systems and technical training for the public.

"Effective cryptography must become the obligatory standard in communications via the Internet," the club said, adding that governments should "heave overboard" their plans for total surveillance.

Digital self-defense

The CCC accused German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere of ignoring the reality that more or less technically adept people could hide communications, making politicians' calls to regulate encryption practically unenforceable.

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Chaos Computer Club contradicts EU, demands full encryption