Trump 20: A Win for Big Tech, But a Potential Loss for Encryption

2025-01-18

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House for a second term, the tech industry is bracing for a new era of influence and policy shifts. While Big Tech giants like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg appear poised to benefit from this administration, the future of encryption—a cornerstone of digital privacy and security—remains uncertain.

Encrypted communications, which protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, could once again become a target under Trump 2.0. This raises critical questions about the balance between national security, privacy, and the role of technology in modern governance.

The Big Tech Boom Under Trump 2.0

The incoming Trump administration is shaping up to be a boon for Big Tech. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is set to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos reportedly joining him in some capacity. Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has already aligned with Trump’s ideology by announcing the end of fact-checking policies on his platforms.

Outgoing President Joe Biden warned of an “oligarchy” of tech billionaires threatening American democracy, but under Trump, these figures seem to be gaining even more influence. However, this alliance between Trump and Big Tech could come at a cost—particularly for encryption, which has long been a contentious issue in the debate over privacy versus security.

Encryption: A Bipartisan Target?

Encryption, specifically end-to-end encryption (E2E), scrambles data into an unreadable format, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can access it. While it’s a vital tool for protecting privacy, it has also been a point of contention for governments seeking to combat crime and terrorism.

During his first term, Trump’s administration was vocal in its opposition to E2E encryption, arguing that it provides a “digital shield” for criminals. This stance is unlikely to change in his second term. In fact, the push for encryption backdoors—ways for authorities to bypass encryption—has been a bipartisan effort. The Biden administration, for example, proposed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require encrypted messaging apps to create backdoors for monitoring potentially harmful content.

However, experts warn that weakening encryption could have dire consequences. Jan Jonsson, CEO of Mullvad VPN, emphasizes that backdoors undermine security, making data vulnerable to malicious actors. Recent cyberattacks, such as the China-linked Salt Typhoon hack, have only highlighted the need for stronger encryption, not weaker protections.

Musk’s Influence on Encryption Policy

Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration could further complicate the encryption debate. Musk has publicly criticized Signal, one of the most secure encrypted messaging apps, questioning its security despite its open-source nature. Given Musk’s influence over Trump and key conservative figures, his stance could sway the administration toward adopting less stringent encryption standards.

Mallory Knodel, a cryptography and digital rights expert, warns that Musk’s criticisms could lead to policies that weaken encryption, putting user privacy at risk. This is particularly concerning as encryption is increasingly seen as a necessary defense against rising cyber threats.

The Global Push Against Encryption

The battle over encryption isn’t limited to the U.S. In the European Union, lawmakers are pushing for legislation that would require encrypted messaging apps to scan all messages for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Critics have dubbed this proposal “Chat Control,” arguing that it undermines encryption and opens the door to mass surveillance.

Tech experts universally agree that there is no safe way to break encryption without creating vulnerabilities. As cyberattacks like Salt Typhoon become more frequent, the need for robust encryption has never been greater. Weakening it, they argue, would only expose users to greater risks.

What Undercode Say:

The debate over encryption under Trump 2.0 reflects a broader tension between privacy, security, and corporate influence. While Big Tech stands to gain from the new administration, the potential erosion of encryption poses significant risks to individual privacy and national security.

1. The Illusion of Security: Proponents of encryption backdoors argue that they are necessary for law enforcement to combat crime. However, as Jonsson points out, these backdoors inevitably create vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers and malicious actors. The Salt Typhoon hack is a stark reminder that strong encryption is essential for protecting sensitive data.

2. Corporate Influence on Policy: The close ties between Trump and Big Tech leaders like Musk and Bezos raise concerns about whose interests the administration will prioritize. If Musk’s criticisms of Signal are any indication, the administration may favor policies that weaken encryption, putting corporate interests ahead of user privacy.

3. A Global Trend: The push to undermine encryption is not unique to the U.S. The EU’s proposed Chat Control legislation demonstrates a growing trend toward sacrificing privacy in the name of safety. However, as experts have repeatedly warned, there is no way to weaken encryption without compromising security.

4. The Need for Balance: While it’s important to address legitimate concerns like child exploitation and cybercrime, the solution cannot come at the expense of encryption. Instead, governments should focus on developing targeted, privacy-preserving methods for addressing these issues.

5. A Call for Change: Both Democrats and Republicans have been guilty of violating citizens’ right to privacy through mass surveillance. As Jonsson aptly puts it, “We hope it won’t get worse, hopefully, things will change in the right direction instead.” The challenge now is to ensure that encryption remains a tool for protecting privacy, not a casualty of political and corporate agendas.

In conclusion, the Trump 2.0 administration presents a complex landscape for Big Tech and encryption. While tech giants may thrive, the future of digital privacy hangs in the balance. As the debate over encryption continues, it’s crucial to remember that strong encryption is not just a technical issue—it’s a fundamental right.