Gone Dark

'Going dark' is a phrase that originated from military terminology, indicating a sudden halt in communication as it shifts from a public, observable medium to a private one. This expression has been adopted by law enforcement and technology sectors to describe digital communications that are rendered untraceable due to robust encryption. The transition from accessible to inaccessible data poses significant obstacles for legal surveillance and evidence collection.

The term's roots lie in military operations, where it referred to the change from public to private communication channels. Law enforcement later embraced this concept to articulate their challenges in accessing digital communications protected by strong, commercially available encryption.

The issue has intensified with the widespread implementation of end-to-end encryption in consumer technology, sparking public discourse between privacy advocates and government entities. This conflict has resulted in proposals for new access methods and ongoing legal disputes.

The phenomenon of 'going dark' appears in various real-life situations, particularly concerning secure communications. Both governmental bodies and private individuals employ these methods for different purposes, creating a complex environment where privacy and security are often at odds.

Although both terms imply a departure from public visibility, they embody different perspectives on privacy and communication.