John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, believes the technology industry in Silicon Valley should consider measures that balance encryption and information sharing with the government on cyber threats.
McCain said in a guest piece published Friday on Bloomberg View that Silicon Valley’s stance on privacy through data encryption impacts the government’s efforts against threats to national security.
“Developing technologies that aid terrorists like Islamic State is not only harmful to our security, but it is ultimately an unwise business model,” he wrote.
The senator urged technology leaders to work with government and adopt flexible measures that protect both their business needs and national security.
He also called on the administration to develop a concrete strategy and Congress to pass legislation to address the use of encryption and facilitate lawful access to what he calls “digital criminal evidence.”