A new encryption initiative from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) urges large technology and communications companies to follow through on previously made data and privacy protection promises and finally implement end-to-end encryption (E2EE) features for user data and communications This article explores encryption e2ee features. . The campaign, called Encrypt It Already, focuses on three things: companies launching data protection capabilities that other companies already have; turning on existing E2EE features by default; and releasing features that the companies have already promised.

Examples include Bluesky finally launching E2EE for its direct messages, Ring enabling E2EE on its cameras by default, and Google offering E2EE for Android backup data. E2EE "is the best way to protect our conversations and data," the EFF wrote in a blog post.

Related:When the Cloud Rains on Everyone's IoT Parade ## Some Broken Promises While big companies should always strive for higher privacy and security standards, the initiative isn't intended to cast blame or shame any organization. Related:8-Minute Access: AI Accelerates Breach of AWS Environment "It would be great if they get turned on by default, but candidly, I don't know if we expect it from all the companies that we targeted," Klosowski says, noting that EFF has already reached out to the companies mentioned in the post.

"I do sympathize with the companies, because it will take work and time." ## AI Ups the Ante on Privacy Concerns Time may not be on companies' sides with all the security and privacy concerns the artificial intelligence (AI) boom has already introduced. According to Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel and encryption policy lead at Access Now, it is more important than ever that more platforms provide encrypted communications and protect users from prying AI agents.

Agents gain highly sensitive access, but have less human oversight. The Encrypt it Already initiative makes concrete demands to achieve this goal, reflecting the asks of civil society and privacy companies, Maheshwari adds, emphasizing that companies must come through.