Encryption relies on complicated math equations to effectively hide data from prying eyes. Even if the Department of Justice manages to legally compel tech companies to break the encryption services they use, anyone with math and programming skills can simply create their own encryption systems. Sufficiently-motivated bad actors will still be able to communicate in secret, while the rest of us will be left more vulnerable than ever before.

It isn’t just state-sponsored terrorists or malicious hackers we should be worried about. If Barr gets his way, your emails, text messages, computer files, phone calls — literally everything you say and do online — will be put at risk. Law enforcement agents frequently abuse digital surveillance systems to stalk their romantic interests, snoop on neighbors, and harass journalists. And the corporations responsible for the free-flow of data have a history of selling access to your sensitive information for their profit. Providing these people with even greater access into our online activities is certain result in greater abuse.

Digital backdoors are a disaster waiting to happen, plain and simple. Privacy is a fundamental human right around the world, and it has been recognized by the United States Supreme Court as the law of the land. Let’s make sure it stays that way.