Brits would quite like their private messages to stay private
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
93% of Brits believe they have a right to private online conversations, polling finds.
Center for Democracy & Technology polling of 2,000 British adults found 93% believe they have a right to private online conversations and 89% think nobody should access their messages without a court order. Two-thirds distrust any government with power to access encrypted messages, spanning Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, and Reform voters. 53% said security risks of accessing encrypted messages outweigh benefits. 84% worry access mechanisms could introduce vulnerabilities. 65% would become more cautious about what they share. Apple withdrew Advanced Data Protection from UK users after receiving a secret Technical Capability Notice under the Investigatory Powers Act.
The polling was carried out independently by Public First. Open Rights Group's Jim Killock said the public understands that private communication is crucial to a free society.
What commenters are saying
Commenters broadly agreed with the polling, with some expressing deep cynicism about democratic processes. Several invoked Brexit as an example where public voting outcomes are ignored or reversed by elites, arguing democracy is not genuine when results contradict establishment preferences. One commenter noted GCHQ has done its job of obfuscation well if Brits think they've had privacy. Another pointed out that important issues are least allowed to be affected by democratic processes, citing Brexit as an upset that bucked the trend. The thread split between those arguing the referendum was legitimate and those claiming voters were misled.