Which surveillance agency just released an encryption app for kids? Answer: GCHQ

GCHQs Cryptoy app is available for Android tablets.

British surveillance agency GCHQ has launched an app teaching children to understand basic encryption techniques, despite its director having criticised technology firms for making more advanced tools available to their users.

Cryptoy is a free app for Android tablets, with an iPad version expected to launch in 2015. It teaches children about four encryption techniques shift, substitution, Vigenre and Enigma as well as the history behind their use.

This fun and educational app teaches you about the mysterious world of cryptography. It helps you to understand ciphers and keys, and enables you to create encrypted messages that you can share with your friends, explains its listing on the Google Play store.

The app is aimed at Key Stage 4 students in the UK those aged between 14 and 16 years old and was originally developed by students on a years placement at GCHQ, for the Cheltenham Science Festival.

Its release is part of the British governments drive to encourage more children to study STEM subjects science, technology, engineering and maths at GCSE level and beyond.

Building maths and cyber skills in the younger generation is essential for maintaining the cyber security of the UK and growing a vibrant digital economy. That is why I am keen for GCHQ to give something back through its work with school and universities, said the agencys director Robert Hannigan, as the app launched.

In particular, the Cryptoy app is a colourful, interactive way for students and their teachers to explore the fascinating world of cryptography. The app was developed by GCHQs industrial placement students and trialled at a number of science fairs. I hope it will inspire further study of this key topic, which has played such an important part in our past and is an invaluable part of our future.

Hannigan recently sparked controversy with his first public intervention in the surveillance debate since taking over as GCHQ director, when he attacked US technology companies as the command and control networks of choice for terrorists when they make techniques for encrypting and/or anonymising communications available.

Facebook recently made it easier for users of the Tor anonymising service to access the social network by launching a .onion address, while messaging app WhatsApp is introducing end-to-end encryption, and Apple has made encryption a part of its iMessage service.

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Which surveillance agency just released an encryption app for kids? Answer: GCHQ