FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Grimm — cgrimm@appdevelopersalliance.org
Statement from the Application Developers Alliance on Burr-Feinstein Encryption Legislation
Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2016) — Below is a statement from Application Developers Alliance President and CEO Jake Ward in strong opposition to the draft Compliance and Court Orders Act of 2016, introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
“The Compliance and Court Orders Act would compel developers, device manufacturers, communications providers, and others to provide technical assistance to law enforcement to deliberately weaken data security measures like encryption. The security measures built into these devices and software protect Americans and help make the country the world’s innovative hub.
“Data is either encrypted or it is not, and the technical assistance that this legislation mandates is not feasible nor is it in the country’s best interest. Despite the Act’s Design Limitation provision, these requirements would compel companies and developers to create a specific design or operating system with inherent security flaws.
“Encryption has proven to be one of our most effective tools to combat crime and is critical to keeping Americans safe and their private information secure. Efforts to undermine security – especially those compelling companies and developers to act against the best interests of their consumers — is short-sighted and will ultimately stifle the inventiveness and ingenuity that has made America the world’s innovation leader. This is a trade-off that cannot be had.”
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The Application Developers Alliance is a non-profit global membership organization that supports developers as an essential workforce of creators, innovators, and as entrepreneurs. We promote software industry growth and advocate on behalf of our members on public policy and industry issues. The Alliance global membership includes the world’s leading technology companies, small businesses and startups, and a global developer network.
