End-to-end encryption (E2E)

Source-This post is based on the article “What is end-to-end encryption? How does it secure information?” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd January 2024.

Why in the News?

This article explores End-to-end encryption (E2E), detailing its operational mechanisms and examining implementation challenges and complexities.

What is End-to-end encryption (E2E)?

1) Encryption serves as a method to safeguard data against unauthorized access or manipulation.

2) It functions by converting the data into a confidential code that only the designated recipient can decode. This proves beneficial in numerous scenarios, including securing online correspondence, safeguarding sensitive data, and authenticating digital identities.

3) Encryption primarily falls into two categories:

a. Symmetric: This method employs a single key for both encryption and decryption. In symmetric encryption, the key utilized to encode data is identical to the one needed for decoding it.
b. Asymmetric: Asymmetric encryption relies on a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key can be distributed openly, whereas the private key must remain confidential.

4) The concept of encryption typically pertains to safeguarding stored data, whereas end-to-end encryption ensures the protection of data during its transmission between locations, particularly in scenarios involving rapid information exchange.

5) In an application equipped with end-to-end encryption (E2EE), only the individuals at each end—namely, the sender and recipient—have the ability to access exchanged messages.

What are the issues with End-to-end encryption (E2E)?

1) Compromised endpoints: If either endpoint has been compromised, an attacker may be able to see a message before it is encrypted or after it is decrypted. Attackers could also retrieve keys from compromised endpoints.

2) Too much privacy: Government and law enforcement agencies express concern that end-to-end encryption can protect people sharing illicit content because service providers are unable to provide law enforcement with access to the content.

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