In addition, according to the proposed amendments to the Investigative Powers Act 2016, not only will device manufacturers need to notify the UK department in advance of the release of important security updates, but they will also be required by the government to forego fixing security vulnerabilities. This means that companies such as Apple may face pressure from the government to forego fixing security holes, thus providing an opportunity for hackers and malicious actors.
This revision has sparked widespread concern and ongoing controversy. On the one hand, supporters believe that this move will help fight terrorism and criminal activities, while also helping to maintain national security. They argue that the government has regulatory and investigative powers and should be able to obtain the information necessary to protect public safety.
Opponents, however, say the amendment violates people's privacy rights and online security. They worry that the government may misuse personal information and may even pose a threat to freedom of expression and human rights. This move could erode users' trust in devices and the internet, negatively impacting the digital economy and innovation.
In addition, some analysts pointed out that this revision may cause irreversible damage to the R&D and innovation capabilities of technology companies. If technology companies no longer have independent decision-making power and the ability to master security vulnerability fixes, it may limit their improvements and upgrades to systems and software. This will lead to a lag in technological progress, bringing potential risks and losses to consumers and businesses.
The dispute has also highlighted issues of borders between governments in the legal and regulatory arena. With the development of technology and the deepening of global interconnection, how to balance national security and personal privacy has become an urgent problem worldwide. International human rights groups have called on governments to step up scrutiny and monitoring of these law changes to ensure that while fighting crime and maintaining security, individual rights and privacy are protected and respected.