U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) was selected to serve on the bipartisan Encryption Working Group on Monday, which will strive to enhance digital security policy.
The House Judiciary Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee formed the Encryption Working Group to advance policy solutions that enhance encryption and to find tools to help law enforcers investigate digital crimes.
“In the last few weeks, we’ve heard a lot of debate over privacy and encryption, security and backdoors,” Issa said. “I am honored to be a part of this working group so that lawmakers, on all sides of the issue, can get together to talk about the best path forward to protect the privacy and security of our personal information in the digital age that is the 21st century.”
Earlier this month, Issa questioned FBI Director James Comey about an FBI request for Apple to develop a “backdoor” for its encryption technology during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
In his opening statement, Issa said the FBI’s request for Apple to create a back door enabling access to encrypted information was akin to “asking Apple to take away the vicious guard dog and (letting) us pick the lock.”
Issa worked in the tech sector before being elected to Congress. He was the CEO of Directed Electronics, the largest manufacturer of vehicle anti-theft devices in the country, and served as the chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association.