Encryption: The next battle between security and privacy

[Commentary] The battle over the National Security Agency metadata program is only the first of what are likely to be a series of clashes over the balance between security and privacy. Looming as the next faceoff is the conflict over encryption and the moves by a number of US technology companies to protect their customers against hackers, whether private or public.

In the US, the current skirmish was precipitated by announcements from Apple and Google that they were installing encryption protection in their cellphones that would allow only users -- and no outside individual or public official -- to unblock the devices. Text messaging services such as WhatsApp and iMessage have followed suit.

[Claude Barfield is a former consultant to the office of the US Trade Representative]