Whatsapp and Signal are among the messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption (Alamy) 5 min read1 hr Human rights activists have warned that their work in the UK could be under threat, as ministers press ahead with plans that could allow online platforms to scan private encrypted messages. Regulators equipped with powers from the Online Safety Act could require platforms to use scanning technologies to analyse or intercept content that would otherwise be protected by encryption. End-to-end encryption is a common security feature for emails, messaging services and internet banking, which ensures that only the sender and receiver can access the contents of messages and files. Even the service provider cannot read encrypted content. Prominent campaigners, including Russian human rights activist Olga Borisova, exiled Afghan journalist Zahra Joya and Uyghur activist Rahima Mamut, fear that weakening encryption could put the safety of activists at risk. Borisova, who now lives in London after fleeing Russia, said weakening encryption would have immediate and serious consequences for activists working with people in authoritarian states.  “If …