# Daniel Pocock [2017-05-25 15:55 +0200]:
I wonder what this will mean for developers of free software who pass through British airports with software like Tor on their devices?
Well, that completely depends on how the possible regulation will look like. Currently, I don't see a realistic way how such backdoors can be included in software and services, especially those who have their headquarters abroad (or nowhere in the case of distributed Free Software projects).
"...require big technology and internet companies to break their own security so that messages can be read by intelligence agencies."
According to this quote from the source you mentioned it seems the ideas circle more around major web *service companies* (FB, WhatsApp...) and less around said distributed Free Software projects like Tor. And well, that you shouldn't entrust proprietary, US-based providers with your most valuable data should be common sense in the tech community.
By the way, I doubt that the UK has enough economic power to enforce such one-sided backdoor obligations outside of the UK. I also doubt that such regulations would be legally feasible in the EU.
Best, Max