Internet giants will have to hand over messages from ‘secret’ apps

INTERNET firms will be forced to hand over messages sent using apps and other encrypted software to the police, under plans to be unveiled tomorrow.

Companies such as Apple and Google will no longer be allowed to offer encryption so sophisticated it allows jihadis and paedophiles to plot under the radar of security services.

Ministers have dropped plans for an outright ban on secret messaging apps – saying encryption technology is vital for services such as online banking. Instead, tech companies will be forbidden from allowing customers to use socalled ‘end-to-end’ encryption – in which the content of messages can only be deciphered by the sender and recipient.

Under the proposals in the draft Investigatory Powers Bill, internet firms will, for the first time, have a legal duty to be able to see their own customers’ data. This means service providers will be able to provide communications to the police or spy agencies if requested through a warrant.

The measure will mean terrorists and other criminals will not be able to hide behind software which security officials struggle to decode.

The Mail has revealed how Islamic State extremists were using encrypted apps such as WhatsApp, Kik, Surespot and Wickr to swap messages and groom youngsters in secret.

The draft Bill will require internet companies to store details of a person’s every website visit, text message and phone call for up to 1 months.

But the police and the security services will not be able to see the content of communications, such as opening an email or looking at the specific web pages a person has viewed, without a warrant.

David Cameron yesterday pleaded with the public and MPs to back his raft of new surveillance measures – dubbed a ‘ turbo- charged snooper’s charter’ by critics.

The Prime Minister told ITV’s This Morning: ‘I would say to people, “Please let’s not have a situation where we give terrorists, criminals, child abductors, safe spaces to communicate”.’

But the Bill is expected to get a rough passage through Parliament, amid huge concerns among civil liberties campaigners.