Issue End-to-end encryption listed as a chronic risk but assessment withheld

Summary

Impacts from end-to-end encryption appear among the 26 chronic risks under the security theme, alongside terrorism, serious and organised crime and fraud. The report describes it as a fast-changing risk carrying far-reaching implications for UK national security and public safety. However, it states that analysis of short and long-term impacts and of the consequences for the UK resilience system is still under review, so unlike the other risks no snapshot or forward-looking assessment is published. As related context, the serious and organised crime chapter warns that the spread of technologies such as encryption may limit the ability of law enforcement to respond. The opening of the security theme also explains that fast technological change keeps opening new illicit avenues for criminals and complicates an effective response.