Global Encryption Day is a digital global event taking place on 21 October 2021. Organized by the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC), Global Encryption Day will put strong encryption firmly in the spotlight around the world to help us champion a stronger Internet for all.
Make the Switch
In the days leading up to Global Encryption Day, the GEC is running the Make the Switch campaign. It wants you to participate by Making the Switch to end-to-end encrypted services and platforms and to help champion strong encryption and encrypted platforms and services to your communities. The Make the Switch campaign will culminate in Global Encryption Day itself, a day of localized events and activities taking place around the world that put encryption front and center.
Take Part
There are many ways you can get involved in the Make the Switch campaign and in Global Encryption Day itself.
- Individuals: Make the Switch to encrypted services or platforms – sign the pledge to Make the Switch.
- Businesses: Pledge to implement or continue to offer end-to-end or user-controlled encryption for your users or customers – sign the pledge.
- Organizations: Sign the Global Encryption Day Statement to support and protect strong encryption – sign the statement.
- Organize an event on or in the run up to Global Encryption Day to raise awareness about the importance of encryption. Add your event to our global calendar of Global Encryption Day activities.
- Attend an event – find out what’s happening where you are in the world.
Stay Updated
In the weeks leading up to Global Encryption Day, the GEC will be updating the campaign website with new information and exciting new activities and ways to participate, so keep this link available. You can also keep up with the latest news on Twitter (including the hashtags #EncryptionDay and #MakeTheSwitch) and Facebook.
Why Participate
Encryption keeps our personal information and conversations private and secure, and it helps journalists expose corruption and hold the powerful to account. It protects the safety of individuals and nations and keeps the Internet strong and secure.
But encryption is under threat. Some governments argue that law enforcement should be given dangerous authority, requiring companies to create an encryption “backdoor” to fight crime. Authorizing “backdoor access” for law enforcement would have dangerous, unintended consequences that would undermine efforts to prevent crime by exposing the personal and confidential information of billions of people, and creating new, dangerous points of access for criminals and hostile actors to exploit.
That’s why we’re asking everyone to help us promote the message that strong encryption makes life safer for everyone by taking part in the Make the Switch campaign and in Global Encryption Day.
Note: The Internet Society is a founding member of the Global Encryption Coalition and is currently part of the GEC Steering Committee.