What kind of jerk would want something bad for kids? If you buy what some top U.S. government officials are selling, then the kind of jerk who wants bad things for kids would be anyone supporting encryption. Heck, you don’t even have to be “for” encryption if you have an iPhone or Android since Apple and Android plan to roll out encryption that will protect smartphone data from anyone who doesn’t have the password. What about reversing the “think of the children” argument? Why can’t encryption be seen as “for the children,” for passing down a little bit of guaranteed electronic privacy to kids?

Without naming tech giants by name, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, “We would hope that technology companies would be willing to work with us to ensure that law enforcement retains the ability, with court-authorization, to lawfully obtain information in the course of an investigation, such as catching kidnappers and sexual predators. It is fully possible to permit law enforcement to do its job while still adequately protecting personal privacy.” 

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