Because the modern tech world operates with security on by default. Amateurs should be able to experiment with radio and run the same protocols that pros use.
If people want encryption, they are welcome to use the ISM bands where it is allowed, or get licenses for the commercial areas of the spectrum.
But amateur radio is a public commons for those who have the interest in getting licensed, and encrypted comms being normalised damages that, making it less accessible to others and discouraging interaction between enthusiasts.
I fear that with encryption allowed, amateur radio will become a collection of competing 1-to-1 links and hidden commercial activity taking advantage of the cheap spectrum at everyone else's expense.
Even if there is hidden commercial activity going on, is that really so bad? Imagine if the internet banned commerce on it, there wouldn't be so much investment into it.
As for commercial activity, the whole point of the amateur spectrum is specifically to carve out portions of the spectrum protected from commercial interests! I agree that commercial, and also unlicensed use of radio is important, but leave commerce out of the tiny portion (and it really is small) part of the spectrum that's specifically regulated to be free of commercial interference.
I’d rather not have the ham bands reduced to more of the same.
Nothing stops spammers from spamming on HAM right now and it's 1 to many which makes it more effective.
Except the existing regulations, which is why spamming is relatively rare on Amateur radio.
Occasional infringement does occur, but it is relatively easy to track down and deal with.
And of course this is is the whole point of this thread.
In my view, of course many hams would use encryption in reasonable ways but quite likely other uses of the spectrum would proliferate that are explicitly forbidden by the rules that carve out the amateur service as distinct from all the other ones.
Typically even without encryption there are laws banning monitoring of such communications. For example, tapping into someone's analog phone line or listening to unencrypted mobile phone conversations, etc.
Conversely, even system we view as private are routinely monitored by governments, etc.
Amateur radio rules seem to derive both from the idea of preventing public nuisance and also the idea of public resources (like national parks, etc.). The amateur spectrum is like a park -- visitors are not allowed to open businesses on the land, nor are they allowed to be a nuisance to others.
If you want private communication, use a private frequency. If you want to use a shared spectrum, do it in a way, where everyone can tell you to buzz off.
Which the HAM bands could be which is the point of my comment.
This is like having an open public square, and then someone decides to "privatize" an area, cordon it off, put temporary walls around and not-let anyone else look at (well.. listen) to what's happening there.
You want to take a bit of the spectrum away from everyone else and not let them neither listen nor join the conversation.
You can get a private frequency, pay a bit of money for that, and be private as much as you want.