Europol supports UK government’s call for tech firms to tackle terror

Rob Wainwright, head of crime fighting agency Europol, has backed the UK government’s call to encourage firms to help in tackling terrorism. Wainwright made the announcement in addition to citing that 75 per cent of terror crimes are hampered by encrypted messages. The news comes as the UK government plans to compel technology companies such as Google and Apple to decode customers’ communication ‘where practicable’. Prime Minister David Cameron has argued that the use of encrypted computer software allows groups such as ISIL and peadophiles to evade detection. Wainwright said: “We see everyday how encryption has become more and more a central feature of the way serious criminals and terrorists go about their business. It allows the criminals and terrorists to hide their identity, to hide their communications and to buy and sell illegal firearms on the dark net without the police having much ability to track any of that. "ISIL threatens most European countries including the UK. The UK is part of coalition activity against ISIL in Syria so makes itself a target In the latest video released by ISIL the UK is repeated and specifically warned that it will be next. So we can see what the intensions appear to be of the group. But at least the UK has one of the strongest counter terrorist capabilities in the world.”