The problem with the encryption debate that’s roiling the 2016 campaign

There are times in which law enforcement wants -- needs -- to know what people are saying, and the broad use of encryption technologies makes it much harder to do that. Apple's messaging system uses "end-to-end" encryption, which means that when the message leaves your phone it is encrypted and it is only encrypted when it reaches the other person. It passes over Apple's servers to get there, but Apple can't see what you're saying. This is good for privacy; this is bad for the police. When political candidates are asked about the issue, they have to figure out where to find some middle ground. The problem is that there really isn't any middle ground, unlike many things in the political world. Creating a way to undermine encryption undermines that encryption for everyone. No matter how well the door in the endless, giant wall is hidden, someone can find it.