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The head of the Swiss messenger service Threema defends himself against demands within the European Union to change the encryption of digital communication with master keys or back doors so that authorities get access to messages sent to fight terrorism, for example.

"In the case of terrorist attacks, the perpetrators are almost always known to the authorities and on record," said Threema boss Martin Blatter in an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG.

This shows that politics does not manage to protect citizens.

"These demands for a master key testify to the lack of need on the part of the authorities," said Blatter.

Because technically this is not possible.

"We don't even have a master key that we can store." The encryption is carried out by the users and not by Threema.

Therefore, the provider has no way of viewing the communication, even if he wants to.

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Crime is a social and not a technological problem.

One should not solve a social problem with a few by weakening everyone's privacy.

"Privacy is a human right," said Blatter.

This should also apply in the digital space.

The Threema boss points to backdoors that router manufacturers have been forced into by US intelligence agencies.

In the end, the Chinese would have accessed these back doors to get information.

Threema grants its users largely anonymity

That is the basic problem of the back doors, which could also be abused by other states and criminals.

“We would definitely not install such a back door.” In addition, this would violate the laws in Switzerland, where Threema is based.

The messenger is used by the Swiss federal administration up to the federal councilors for confidential communication.

"Basically, weakening the encryption would potentially criminalize millions of people, while criminals will always find ways to communicate with one another under the radar," said Blatter.

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Threema grants its users extensive anonymity.

Users do not have to leave a mobile phone number or an e-mail address when registering, nor is it necessary, unlike other providers, for users to grant access to their address book.

At Threema, all messages are encrypted end-to-end.

The company also plans to publish the source code for its application shortly.

You can read the entire interview in WELT AM SONNTAG.

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Source: Welt am Sonntag