Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- clash /klash/
- dispute /dih-SPYOOT/
- core /kawr/
- intensify /in-TEN-suh-fahy/
- convict /kuhn-VIKT/
[noun] – a fight or argument between people
There was a clash between two colleagues over different opinions on how to approach the project.
[noun] – an argument or disagreement
The neighbors are in a dispute over the ownership of the land, and they are seeking legal assistance to resolve the issue.
[noun] – the basic and most important part of something
Good communication skills are at the core of building strong relationships and achieving success in professional endeavors.
[verb] – to make something stronger or more extreme, or to become stronger or more extreme
The heavy rain caused the wind to intensify, making it difficult to walk outside.
[verb] – to decide officially in a law court that someone is guilty of a crime
The jury reached a verdict and decided to convict the defendant of the robbery charges.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and the UK government are currently locked in a heated battle over the implementation of super-secure messaging with end-to-end encryption across all of Meta’s apps. This clash has attracted the attention of governments worldwide as they observe who will yield first. The dispute centers around a fundamental question: Should technology companies have the ability to access people’s private messages? This seemingly complex issue boils down to the core debate between Silicon Valley and numerous governments worldwide.
End-to-end encryption has become increasingly popular in the last decade, with billions of individuals using encrypted apps daily. At first, the majority of governments and security agencies hesitantly acknowledged the emergence of this technology. However, four years ago, Mark Zuckerberg announced that both the Messenger app and Instagram would adopt end-to-end encryption as the standard. This declaration ignited concerns among governments and law enforcement agencies globally. While Meta has remained tight-lipped about the progress and timeline of the encryption implementation, calls to halt or introduce safeguards have intensified.
End-to-end encryption has faced criticism from various governments, such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, India, Turkey, Japan, and Brazil, as well as law enforcement agencies like Interpol. However, until now, no democratic government has passed legislation interfering with these popular apps. The UK’s proposed Online Safety Bill aims to address this issue by mandating technical backdoors for message scanning. The government argues that access to message content is crucial for convicting criminals and terrorists, and concerns about online child grooming have further fueled the call for message scanning to protect children.
End-to-end encryption has become increasingly popular in the last decade, with billions of individuals using encrypted apps daily. At first, the majority of governments and security agencies hesitantly acknowledged the emergence of this technology. However, four years ago, Mark Zuckerberg announced that both the Messenger app and Instagram would adopt end-to-end encryption as the standard. This declaration ignited concerns among governments and law enforcement agencies globally. While Meta has remained tight-lipped about the progress and timeline of the encryption implementation, calls to halt or introduce safeguards have intensified.
End-to-end encryption has faced criticism from various governments, such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, India, Turkey, Japan, and Brazil, as well as law enforcement agencies like Interpol. However, until now, no democratic government has passed legislation interfering with these popular apps. The UK’s proposed Online Safety Bill aims to address this issue by mandating technical backdoors for message scanning. The government argues that access to message content is crucial for convicting criminals and terrorists, and concerns about online child grooming have further fueled the call for message scanning to protect children.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever used messaging apps or social media platforms that offer end-to-end encryption for your private messages? If so, could you share your experience? If not, are you familiar with the concept of end-to-end encryption and its role in protecting the privacy of online communications?
- Have you heard about any discussions or debates surrounding the balance between privacy and security in the digital world? If so, what are some of the key points or arguments you have come across? If not, are you aware of the ongoing discussions about privacy and security in relation to online activities and communication?
- Do you believe that technology companies should have the ability to access people’s private messages?
- What are the potential risks and consequences of mandating technical backdoors for message scanning in encrypted apps, as proposed by the UK’s Online Safety Bill?
- How can governments strike a balance between ensuring public safety and protecting individuals’ privacy rights in the context of end-to-end encryption?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- yield
- acknowledged
- fundamental
- legislation
- end-to-end encryption
Listening: