Why tech companies are really worried about the snooper's charter

Slipped into the new investigatory powers bill is a law that could spell the end of encrypted services such as WhatsApp and iMessage.

Technology firms could be forced into a no-win situation if the UK government's investigatory powers bill passes without substantial changes from its current draft form.

The legislation includes a number of clauses which are scaring technology firms. Under the proposals they can be required to provide assistance to the government to hack their own users; they can be mandated to open their networks up to bulk interception of data; and they can be required to modify their technologies to make the interception of data easier, even to the extent of removing "electronic protections" applied to them.