Obama Administration opts not to force firms to decrypt data — for now

After months of deliberation, the Obama Administration has made a long-awaited decision on the thorny issue of how to deal with encrypted communications: It will not — for now — call for legislation requiring companies to decode messages for law enforcement. Rather, the Administration will continue trying to persuade companies that have moved to encrypt their customers’ data to create a way for the government to still peer into people’s data when needed for criminal or terrorism investigations.

The decision, which essentially maintains the status quo, underscores the bind the Administration is in — balancing competing pressures to help law enforcement and protect consumer privacy. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting Oct. 1.