While last month a UK parliamentary committee urged the government to consider a similar approach — and UK ministers are apparently open to the idea. The prime minister , Theresa May , and the home secretary , Amber Rudd , have said limiting access to end - to - end encryption online could help fight abuse . It is thought that , after the general election on Thursday , if the Conservatives win , they will push for legislation in addition to the Investigatory Powers Act , to force internet users to hand over their data on request . The Open Government group said the idea was " risky " and added : " While governments and companies should take sensible measures to stop abuse , attempts to control the internet are not the simple solution Theresa May is claiming . "
The prime minister , Theresa May , and the home secretary , Amber Rudd , have said limiting access to end - to - end encryption online could help fight abuse . It is thought that , after the general election on Thursday , if the Conservatives win , they will push for legislation in addition to the Investigatory Powers Act , to force internet users to hand over their data on request . The Open Government group said the idea was " risky " and added : " While governments and companies should take sensible measures to stop abuse , attempts to control the internet are not the simple solution Theresa May is claiming . "