Google, Facebook, Yahoo, and others are all improving their data encryption to discourage the NSA from accessing their data. November 15, 2013 8:20 AM PST The National Security Agency (NSA) might soon have a harder time accessing user data. Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, and a other prominent technology companies are investing heavily in stronger, 2048-bit encryption that some say, won't be easily overcome for more than a decade, due to computing power constraints. Google is one of the leaders in the effort, announcing in July that it would encrypt its user data with 2048-bit encryption. According to Bloomberg, which spoke with several other companies that are investing in new encryption, Yahoo confirmed to the publication that it will add 2048-bit encryption to its Mail by January. Facebook also plans to move to 2048-bit encryption. Facebook confirmed to Bloomberg that it also plans to roll out "perfect forward secrecy," a feature that would prevent snoopers from accessing user data even if they can access the company's security codes. Related stories CIA collecting bulk data on money transfers, reports say Dear NSA, there's now a Snapchat for e-mail Google: We're bombarded by gov't requests on user data White House reportedly considers civilian NSA chief NSA workers reportedly shared their passwords with Snowden Microsoft and Apple are also reportedly ramping up their data-security efforts. The technology companies' renewed interest in data security and encryption comes after several reports have suggested that the NSA has been accessing their data and using it for spying purposes. Those firms have gone on the record saying they comply with legal requests where appropriate, but are doing everything they can to keep user data safe. The investment in 2048-bit encryption follows that. Still, encryption is just one small piece of a broader puzzle the technology companies have yet to solve. The NSA has the ability to overcome a wide array of security protocols. Last month, in fact, James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said that the US employs "every intelligence tool available" to cull data from national security threats. Whether those efforts are applied to technology company servers has been debated, though leaks from Edward Snowden and others have suggested they are. Even so, the improved encryption efforts could lengthen the time at which it takes the NSA and other spying agencies around the world to access user information. And that's at least something.

Google, Facebook, Yahoo, and others are all improving their data encryption to discourage the NSA from accessing their data.

November 15, 2013 8:20 AM PST

The National Security Agency (NSA) might soon have a harder time accessing user data.

Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, and a other prominent technology companies are investing heavily in stronger, 2048-bit encryption that some say, won't be easily overcome for more than a decade, due to computing power constraints.

Google is one of the leaders in the effort, announcing in July that it would encrypt its user data with 2048-bit encryption. According to Bloomberg, which spoke with several other companies that are investing in new encryption, Yahoo confirmed to the publication that it will add 2048-bit encryption to its Mail by January. Facebook also plans to move to 2048-bit encryption. Facebook confirmed to Bloomberg that it also plans to roll out "perfect forward secrecy," a feature that would prevent snoopers from accessing user data even if they can access the company's security codes.

Related stories

• CIA collecting bulk data on money transfers, reports say


• Dear NSA, there's now a Snapchat for e-mail


• Google: We're bombarded by gov't requests on user data


• White House reportedly considers civilian NSA chief


• NSA workers reportedly shared their passwords with Snowden

Microsoft and Apple are also reportedly ramping up their data-security efforts.

The technology companies' renewed interest in data security and encryption comes after several reports have suggested that the NSA has been accessing their data and using it for spying purposes. Those firms have gone on the record saying they comply with legal requests where appropriate, but are doing everything they can to keep user data safe. The investment in 2048-bit encryption follows that.

Still, encryption is just one small piece of a broader puzzle the technology companies have yet to solve. The NSA has the ability to overcome a wide array of security protocols. Last month, in fact, James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said that the US employs "every intelligence tool available" to cull data from national security threats. Whether those efforts are applied to technology company servers has been debated, though leaks from Edward Snowden and others have suggested they are.

Even so, the improved encryption efforts could lengthen the time at which it takes the NSA and other spying agencies around the world to access user information. And that's at least something.