Message encryption a 'problem' – UK home secretary
There is a growing misconception that it is the role of the government to &quot;keep their citizens safe&quot;.<p>Although that it is often the intention of legislation to prevent behaviour which may lead to unsafe situations. For example, making it illegal to drink and drive.  You can arrest someone for breaking the law, but never can you arrest someone right up to the point of breaking the law.  For example, You cannot arrest someone for being drunk and having their car keys in their pocket, or even being asleep in the car while drunk.<p>This is the problem with the government demanding to read all communications... the idea that they have the right in order to prevent you committing a crime.  Its not only impossible to prevent someone committing a crime (anyone can snap and do truly horrible things without prior communique), its insane to think that you can arrest someone for pre-crime.<p>The role of the government is to pass laws.  The role of the police and the justice system is to enforce these laws. It is not their job to spy on all their citizens for events which historically kill fractions of a percent compared to something as trivial as car accidents.