AG Barr Welcomes Introduction of Encryption Access Bill in House

The U.S. can’t allow tech industry encryption to blind law enforcement and block investigation of serious crimes, Attorney General William Barr said Thursday, supporting a lawful access bill. Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., introduced the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, companion to a bill introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. (see 2006240064). Children are at particular risk, and the tech industry hasn’t done enough, so legislation is necessary, Barr said: “I am confident that the tech industry can design strong encryption that allows for lawful access by law enforcement. Encryption should keep us safe, not provide a safe haven for predators and terrorists.” The legislation “properly balances privacy, public safety, and our Fourth Amendment rights by requiring due process before any encrypted data or devices are accessed,” Wagner said. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation said the bill gives “law enforcement the ability to take reasonable, and constitutional, steps to investigate criminality on encrypted platforms.”