WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting information on the UK government’s reported efforts to compel a U.S. company to provide access to end-to-end encrypted communications.
The issue began under former President Biden, whose Department of Justice facilitated or oversaw these requests. Recent reports indicate that UK authorities have issued an order requiring access to all encrypted data of UK users stored by a U.S. company. This move calls into question the integrity of U.S. user data, the extent of foreign government influence over private communications, and the role of former President Biden’s Department of Justice in facilitating or overseeing these requests.
In the letter, Chairman Paul requests the DOJ provide unredacted copies of any “technical capabilities notices” issued by the UK to U.S. companies since August 1st,2024, records related to the renewal of the US-UK Cloud Act Agreement in November of 2024, and any confidentiality agreements that may restrict public disclosure of these actions. Additionally, the letter requests information on the broader implications of the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 and how it may impact U.S. companies and user data security.
“The American people have a right to know if their government is complicit in weakening encryption and compromising their privacy.” said Chairman Paul. “If Biden’s DOJ facilitated secret agreements that forced U.S. companies to provide backdoor access to encrypted data, we need full transparency. Privacy and security should not be sacrificed in the name of government convenience.”
The requested information is due to this Committee by April 2, 2025 at 5 pm.
A copy of the letter can be found HERE
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