The communications are decrypted.
This is done through a combination of backdoored cryptography, state of the art cryptanalysis, and mass social engineering (propaganda).
Namely, you're not proposing something that's mutually exclusive to decryption of data.
Unfortunately what you wrote was FUD in the worst case and misinformed in the best.
Anyway I think we both are at a point where we understand the other's point of view. Thank you for the conversation. I believe we both hope a lot of HN folks will stumble over it over the next few days. :)
We agree about the need to use encryption.
We disagree about it's limitations, and how to use it effectively.
Unfortunately this isn't a theoretical debate. Journalists, for example, around the world are being killed at increasing rates by governments, with this year reaching an all time high. State surveillance is an issue of tremendous importance for civil rights and personal freedoms. Our conversation and recommendations have to be sober and give candid, informed advice.
I think you absolutely have the right motivations: to encourage people to protect themselves from state coercion and violence.