German police have admitted that they are unable to crack the encryption used in the Internet telephone software, Skype. This means that criminals and terrorists could use the network to communicate without fear of interception, a top policeman said.

Joerg Ziercke, President of Germany's Federal Police Office (BKA) told reporters at an annual gathering of security and law enforcement officials that law enforcement agencies and intelligence services have used wiretaps since the telephone was invented, but admitted that they are out of their league in the modern telecommunications market.

This is particularly the case where the providers are foreign companies. However, Ziercke said German police would not not ask Skype to divulge its encryption keys or to leave "back doors open" for German  law enforcement authorities or other countries' law enforcement. He indicated such actions would harm the company and he didn't think any provider would go along with it.