There are some good arguments in here, but I think it misses the broader picture.

Clearly someone at GCHQ has told the UK government that if they want to ban secure apps like Signal, they first need to get the apps taken out of the app stores, then they need to mandate that phone OSes don't allow side-loading, then finally they need to ban "bespoke" phones, i.e. ones that allow general purpose computing.

Not only Stallman[0], but Doctorow[1] was right too.

After implementing this, they'll do the same for desktops, using something like Apple's Gatekeeper software[2]. Linux distros will gain support for this using "Secure Boot" and something like systemd-censord, which Microsoft might get Lennart to implement for them.

[0] https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.en.html

[1] https://boingboing.net/2012/01/10/lockdown.html

[2] https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/security/sec5599b66df/...

Everyone with a precursor phone[1] should probably reply to this consultation. And then watch the law to see if you will automatically become a criminal.

[1] https://www.crowdsupply.com/sutajio-kosagi/precursor

From the Consultation Paper

"Sophisticated encrypted communication devices have been used extensively by criminals to facilitate organised crime. We’re targeting the modified and bespoke devices that enable access to platforms, similar to Encro Chat, where the software/ hardware has been developed to anonymise its users and their communications and its user base is assessed to be almost certainly criminal. Under Option 1 where articles will be specified, we will be targeting those that supply, modify, and possess these bespoke devices; the provisions will not apply to commercially available mobile phones nor the encrypted messaging apps available on them. The proposed offences will seek to tackle those supplying and exploiting these devices in order to carry out serious crimes and will seek to reduce the supply of these devices to serious criminals." [1]

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-th...

Oh no looks like I will have to commit my crimes on paper, with cash and in person.

More seriously though I’m accepting this as the status quo and keep things I need to keep secret airgapped from the public internet and devices.

I hope they’re eventually prepared to legislate against one-time pads, as they’re bespoke and sophisticated and equally impossible to crack.