London terror attack: Encryption on messaging services unacceptable, says UK home secretary

London: Encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp must make their platforms accessible to intelligence agencies, a top British security official declared on Sunday, amid reports that the Westminster attacker used the service minutes before his assault on Parliament. [caption id=“attachment_3353070” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Floral tributes laid outside Parliament Square, following the attack in Westminster. Reuters[/caption] Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it is “completely unacceptable” for messaging services to provide end-to-end encryption that means security services cannot listen to plots being discussed. “We need to make sure that organisations like WhatsApp, and there are plenty of others like that, don’t provide a secret place for terrorists to communicate with each other,” she said. Rudd also urged technology companies to do a better job at preventing the publication of material that promote extremism. British police investigating the attack on Parliament that claimed four victims and wounded dozens say they still believe the assailant acted alone and they have no information indicating that further attacks are planned. Deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu said it may never be possible to fully determine the motives of attacker Khalid Masood, who was shot dead on Wednesday after running over pedestrians with an SUV on London’s Westminster Bridge and fatally stabbing a policeman guarding Parliament. “That understanding may have died with him,” Basu said on Saturday night, as police appealed for people who knew Masood or saw him to contact investigators. “Even if he acted alone in the preparation, we need to establish with absolute clarity why he did these unspeakable acts, to bring reassurance to Londoners.” The Islamic State group has claimed Masood was a “soldier” carrying out its wishes for supporters to attack Western countries. One man remains in custody in the case. He has not been charged or named. Nine people arrested after the assault have been freed without charges and one has been freed on bail. A detailed police reconstruction has found the attack lasted 82 seconds before Masood was shot dead just after entering Parliament grounds. The family of slain police officer Keith Palmer released a statement thanking those who tried to save his life. “There was nothing more you could have done. You did your best and we are just grateful he was not alone,” the statement said.