A deal between the US and UK has ensured social media platforms , including WhatsApp and Facebook , will have to remove encrypted messages from people suspected of terrorist , paedophile and other crimes . The data access agreement, which marks the culmination of four years of intense lobbying by the UK, is seen by Downing Street as an essential tool in the fight against terrorism and sexual abuse. Currently , data can be obtained through emergency disclosure access or a mutual legal protection treaty but the latter method is complex and time consuming . UK Home Secretary Priti Patel had already warned social media companies to take greater responsibility for their content . The investigatory powers commissioner will oversee the new process , and the UK and US have both said they will not target people in each other ’s countries .
A deal between the US and UK has ensured social media platforms , including WhatsApp and Facebook , will have to remove encrypted messages from people suspected of terrorist , paedophile and other crimes . Currently , data can be obtained through emergency disclosure access or a mutual legal protection treaty but the latter method is complex and time consuming . UK Home Secretary Priti Patel had already warned social media companies to take greater responsibility for their content . The investigatory powers commissioner will oversee the new process , and the UK and US have both said they will not target people in each other ’s countries .