Obama Administration quietly explored ways to bypass smartphone encryption

An Obama Administration working group has explored four possible approaches tech companies might use that would allow law enforcement to unlock encrypted communications — access that some tech firms say their systems are not set up to provide. The group concluded that the solutions were “technically feasible,” but all had drawbacks as well.

• The first potential solution called for providers to add a physical, encrypted port to their devices.
• The second approach would exploit companies’ automatic software updates.
• A third idea described splitting up encryption keys.
• Under the final approach, which officials called a “forced backup,” companies under court order would be required to upload data stored on an encrypted device to an unencrypted location.

Senior officials do not intend to advance the solutions as “administration proposals” — or even want them shared outside the government. Why? They fear blowback. Instead of offering technical solutions, the working group drew up a set of principles to guide engagement with the private sector. They include: no bulk collection of information and no “golden keys” for the government to gain access to data.