&quot;Criminals&quot; don&#x27;t even need to <i>write</i> their own, just use some pre-existing encryption tool (e.g. PGP&#x2F;GPG) with their own pre-shared private keys.  By separating the transport service from the encryption tool, you eliminate the most direct route for an NSA backdoor, and change their problem from one of pressuring communication providers for keys to one of obtaining access to an individual&#x27;s private keys or breaking the encryption algo.  At least that should be <i>marginally</i> more difficult for the NSA to achieve, given that pressuring most companies to install backdoors seems to require approximately zero effort.<p>(Yes, this requires some level of sophistication among criminals, but many criminals <i>are</i> part of a larger, somewhat sophisticated organization.)