France doesn't think encryption backdoors are the answer

As the debate over whether or not government officials should have backdoor access to encrypted services rages on, one country doesn't think that's a good idea. France's deputy minister for digital affairs Axelle Lemaire rejected a proposed amendment that would require companies to enable government access. Lemaire was speaking on behalf of the French government when she called backdoors "the wrong solution."

"What you propose is vulnerability by design," Lemaire explained. "It's inappropriate."

The French official went on to say that if backdoors become a requirement, personal data is no longer protected and that companies including the features would likely face huge economic and credibility consequences. In other words, people would stop using those products. Lemaire also noted that backdoors offer a way in for those with less than noble intentions. In wake of the Paris attacks, reports surfaced that France also wanted to limit access to Tor and turn off public WiFi during emergencies. Prime minister Manuel Valls later said that nixing WiFi would not be part of the new security policies.

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