> We’re targeting the modified and bespoke devices that enable
access to platforms, similar to Encro Chat, where the software/ hardware has been
developed to anonymise its users and their communications and its user base is assessed
to be almost certainly criminal. Under Option 1 where articles will be specified, we will be
targeting those that supply, modify, and possess these bespoke devices; the
provisions will not apply to commercially available mobile phones nor the encrypted
messaging apps available on them. The proposed offences will seek to tackle those
supplying and exploiting these devices in order to carry out serious crimes and will seek to
reduce the supply of these devices to serious criminals.
The paper makes it sound like the intent is to target services that are advertised as being used for crime. While that is a judgement call, I do appreciate that standard devices / standard apps are not being targeted.
On it's surface it seems pretty straightforward. If you are advertising "Crime Talk as a Service", you'll probably be investigated and this gives a clear policy decision. If you are advertising "Anonymous chats away from nosy spouses" the police will have to do a _smidge_ more legwork to build a case.
The paper makes it sound like the intent is to target services that are advertised as being used for crime. While that is a judgement call, I do appreciate that standard devices / standard apps are not being targeted.
On it's surface it seems pretty straightforward. If you are advertising "Crime Talk as a Service", you'll probably be investigated and this gives a clear policy decision. If you are advertising "Anonymous chats away from nosy spouses" the police will have to do a _smidge_ more legwork to build a case.