Apple, Google, Facebook encryption practices under scrutiny after Paris terror attacks

The recent Paris terror attacks reignited concerns on encryption methods and processes of companies like Google, Facebook and Apple, among others. Current practices of tech giants reportedly intervene or, at the very least, affect efforts of the law enforcement to crack down communication of terrorists.

Several sources claimed that the Paris suspects used an encrypted messaging system to plan and coordinate the attacks last Friday. According to the NY Times, there were already calls from the government asking companies like Apple to develop backdoors to anticipate such attacks.

However, the tech industry opposed the idea aggressively, prompting even the White House to back down on the offer. Cryptology experts also advised against the idea. One of the reasons is that the public still has a fresh memory of Edward Snowden’s leaked documents, revealing government's surveillance activities.

“Any backdoor is a backdoor for everyone. Everybody wants to crack down on terrorists. Everybody wants to be secure. The question is how," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. The executive also told the Daily Telegraph that any backdoor they create can be exploited by anyone. It is only a matter of how. Google and Apple have been on their consumers' side since they offer great commercial and financial value.

Furthermore, tech companies argue that weakening encryption systems in order to help the government monitor possible terror activities "does not make sense," according to Venture Beat.

“After a horrific tragedy like the Paris attacks, we naturally search for solutions: weakening encryption is not a solution,” said Dean Garfield, president of Information Technology Industry Council; an organisation that represents tech giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft, among others.

“Encryption is a security tool we rely on everyday to stop criminals from draining our bank accounts, to shield our cars and airplanes from being taken over by malicious hacks,” he added. He also said that although the government has good intentions, creating backdoors and weakening encryptions will only encourage bad people to exploit technologies even more.

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