Sen. Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal Hillicon Valley: TikTok, Oracle seek Trump's approval as clock winds down | Hackers arrested for allegedly defacing U.S. websites after death of Iranian general | 400K people register to vote on Snapchat MORE (D-Ore.) on Wednesday vowed to “use every power I have” to block legislation that would weaken encryption.

“Encryption is one of the best defenses an individual has to protect himself or herself in the digital world,” Wyden said during a speech at RightsCon, an annual conference on the future of the Internet.

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“Without encryption, the technologies we live with would enable thieves to take not only our wallets and purses, but our entire life savings in the blink of an eye,” added Wyden, long considered one of the tech and privacy community’s leading advocates on Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers are currently debating whether to move on legislation that would give law enforcement officials greater access to encrypted data.

The conversation has taken on added urgency in the wake of the terror attacks last year in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., and last week in Brussels. Many lawmakers say encryption likely helped the terrorists hide their plans in each case.

In response, Sens. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrRep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign's Russia contacts posed 'grave' threat Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia MORE (R-N.C.) and Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinMcConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts MORE (D-Calif.) — leaders of the Intelligence Committee — are working on a measure that would force companies to comply with government requests for locked data.

Apple has recently rebuffed several court orders in which the FBI was seeking the tech giant’s help unlocking iPhones.

Though the Justice Department recently withdrew its effort to get Apple’s help to unlock one of the San Bernardino shooter’s phones, it is still pursuing similar court orders in dozens of other cases.

While law enforcement officials argue they need this access to complete lawful investigations, the tech community says helping investigators would force companies to undermine their security.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sen. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerIntelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats MORE (D-Va.) have introduced a bill with bipartisan support that would establish a national commission to study how police can get at people’s encrypted data without endangering Americans’ privacy.

In Wyden’s remarks Wednesday, the Oregon Democrat outlined a “New Compact for Security and Liberty in the Digital Age.”

The first component of that compact was ensuring strong encryption.

“Without encryption, the most personal affairs of every individual, whom they spend time with, where they go and what they think could be laid bare despite their best efforts to keep that information private,” Wyden said.

The senator said he would renew his efforts to get his Secure Data Act passed. The measure, initially introduced in 2014, would ban the government from requiring companies to weaken their products.

“The Justice Department is trying to claim that the government has that power today,” he said. “They dropped a high-profile case this week, but as sure as the night follows the day, they will be back.”