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Why isn't there an end-to-end encryption standard for email so that we can get rid of fax machines? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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That's the reason we have to still use fax machines right?

I know there are ways to do encryption like PGP on your message directly or I think email sent over TLS? But that isn't the default right and that's why I can't send a picture of my license to the insurance company directly over email?

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[–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

Lol no, faxes do not have encryption. However, they are transferred over old school phone lines, which are not exposed to the internet, therefore making them harder to intercept. Also, federal wire tap laws are pretty beefy so risk in doing so is higher. That’s pretty much it though

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    therefore making them harder to intercept.

    You mean far, far easier to intercept? You used to be able to just stick a coil around the wires.

    The main issue is just a lot of countries governments' don't trust computers still. In Germany they insist on fax and post as it's the only thing they can use as proof of signature in court, etc.

    But it's government laws and regulation that is behind. It's not so much of a technical problem (although E2EE email standard would be nice!).

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  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago

    But it's government laws and regulation that is behind. It's not so much of a technical problem (although E2EE email standard would be nice!).

    No. Government had nothing to do with it, these are separate issues. WhatsApp was never approved by the government, yet it's widely used and it has E2E. OTOH, German government accepts email for lots of things. I know of some public sectors requiring email with PGP even.

    The actual problem is that both email and PGP are really bad. This on my opinion describes it very well: https://latacora.micro.blog/2019/07/16/the-pgp-problem.html https://latacora.micro.blog/2020/02/19/stop-using-encrypted.html

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    • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Just send a matrix invite lol

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  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago (1 child)

    This is the answer. Federated but still end to end encrypted

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