Lib Dems blast MI5 call to catch terrorist plots by snooping on WhatsApp messages

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THE LIBERAL Democrats have blasted MI5 over calls to get more access to Whatsapp messages to help catch terrorists.

Speaking to ITV, spy boss Sir Andrew Parker had demanded technology companies give security services exceptional access to encrypted messages.

The spy boss had demanded more access

The 58-year-old claimed it was increasingly mystifying that intelligence officials were barred from reading secret messages shared between terrorist suspects.

Calling for access, he said: I say to the companies, can you please use the brilliant technologists youve got to answer this question, which is: can you provide end-to-end encryption, but, on an exceptional basis, where there is a legal warrant and a compelling case to do it, provide access to stop the most serious forms of harm happening?

His comments have now been pounced on by the Lib Dems, who claimed the safety measure went too far.

Christine Jardine MP said: “While keeping people safe must be our priority, we also have to take into account that you cant end encryption for some and not for all.

The consequences could include undermining our banking security, as well as putting other private information at risk.

We can keep people safe from threats like terrorism and sexual exploitation without invading the privacy of innocent people.

What we need to tackle these threats is more resources for the National Crime Agency, a greater focus on prevention both from law enforcement and tech companies and age-appropriate education to keep children safe online.

Christine Jardine laid into the MI5 honcho’s comments

Last year the Government bashed end-to-end encryption and said it was creating avoidable barriers in catching “terrorists, child abusers or serious criminals.

Tory MP Michael Fabricant lashed out at the Lib Dem claims, insisting safety must come first.

He said: “Peer to peer encryption is used not only by innocent people, but by terrorists and gangsters too. It’s a real problem.

“Trust the woolly jumpered, sandle wearing Lib-Dems to care not a jot about national security and the safety of innocent victims of bombers.”