Encrypted digital services weigh viability and privacy
Friday, February 1, 2019
Subject
Business models of encrypted communication services.
Significance
Founded in 2009 on principles of security and privacy, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular means of digital communication on the planet. It has 1.2 billion monthly active users, up from 450 million in 2014 -- but no revenue.
Impacts
- Users will balance the privacy gains and monetary cost of using encrypted platforms.
- Faced with hate speech on encrypted services, government pressure is rising for increasing law enforcement access to such services.
- Resistance from employees of large technology firms over privacy will dictate changes to products as much as market forces or legislation.
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