The Obama administration has backed away from passing a law that seeks to give the government access to source code and encryption keys, called back doors, to encrypted user data.
The White House settled its dispute with tech companies, claiming that it would not be possible to give law enforcement and intelligence agencies with access to encrypted user data without also opening up the sensitive information to cybercriminals and terrorists.
The administration's decision, which caused an uproar within the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, was an agreement with companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google, along with computer scientists and cryptographers, that millions of Americans would be exposed to more vulnerabilities if back doors would be put in place for the government to use.
As such, the government will not be able to see the messages, pictures and other forms of data that is now receiving encryption in smartphones.
The administration said that it would not be seeking a law requiring companies to create portals for encryption keys accessible by the government. Currently, the keys are in the hands of users, not the companies.
In addition, while the government would push companies to participate in security investigations, it will not push the companies to breach the security systems of their products.
"We are actively engaged with private companies to ensure they understand the public safety and national security risks that result from malicious actors' use of their encrypted products and services," said Mark Stroh, spokesman for the White House.
Technology companies and their advocates are lauding the decision of the administration, despite the fact that the government will still attempt to obtain encrypted data on certain investigations.
Chris Wysopal, security firm Veracode co-founder, believes that the decision is a resounding win for tech companies, but the cycle will continue of companies creating stronger encryption and the government looking to gain more access to data.
However, as mentioned, not everybody is pleased with the administration's decision.
"Changing forms of Internet communication and the use of encryption are posing real challenges to the FBI's ability to fulfill its public safety and national security missions," said FBI Director James Comey.
