The most important concern in the minds of social media users is the p

Question

The most important concern in the minds of social media users is the protection of their privacy. Accordingly, as per the privacy policy released to customers, most social media companies use the latest 256-bit encryption techniques to transmit and store user data. However, recent tests done by several security companies show that 128-bit encryption is sufficient for all practical purposes. Hence, if data security is the only objective, then by switching to the older and cheaper 128-bit encryption, media companies can increase their overall profits without compromising on the security of user data.

Which of the following, if true, argues against the suggested change in the encryption techniques?

(A) Surveys have shown that customers are also concerned about whether paid accounts at social media websites offer better features than do free accounts.

(B) Most smartphones and tablets still use 128-bit encryption techniques and do not support the 256-bit versions.

(C) Although the companies will realize net cost benefits by switching to the 128-bit encryption technique, the companies will have to bear the initial cost of installing the new technique.

(D) Most consumers do not read the privacy policy of the social media network they are active on.

(E) Customer surveys indicate that most users would switch their social networks in case of any perceived downgrade of security features.

rosalynd · Answer

Social media users care a lot about their privacy, and social media companies say they use fancy 256-bit encryption to protect their data. But some security experts say 128-bit encryption is good enough. So, if companies just used the cheaper 128-bit encryption, they could save money without making anyone less secure.

The question is, which answer argues against this idea? Well, (E) says that most users would leave a social network if they thought it was less secure. So, even if the 128-bit encryption is still pretty secure, if people think it's worse, they might still leave. That's bad for the company, because they'll lose money if people leave.

FreshStove · Answer

Isn't option C also acts as a reason for declining profits?

ProDesk · Answer

yes but that's not the primary concern, " The most important concern in the minds of social media users is the protection of their privacy" this is.

ameya.satyawadi · Answer

for OA E we know that the profits will decrease as surveys indicate 'most' users will switch to other options when security policies are downgraded so the profits are likely to decline. But if you go through OA C, you will see that it says it will take initial cost in 'installing the new machine' whereas in the passage it is already provided that it will be cheaper in 'switching to the older and cheaper 128-bit encryption' which means the company may have had the technology. Secondly, we don't know whether the costs in initial setup will be more than the costs eliminated by switching to 128 bit encryption so we don't know whether the profits will actually decline.

Thanks.

Thanks.

egmat · Answer

Hi ameya.satyawadi,

You've spotted the right battleground (C vs. E), and your instinct about "do the setup costs outweigh the savings?" is exactly the question to ask. The answer is hidden in one word inside C itself.

Look at the exact wording of C:  "Although the companies  will realize net cost benefits  by switching to the 128-bit encryption technique, the companies will have to bear the initial cost of installing the new technique."

The word doing all the work is  "net."  "Net cost benefit" already means  after  every cost is subtracted - including that initial installation cost. So C is telling you: even counting the setup expense, the company still comes out ahead on cost. That's why C can't argue  against  the switch - it actually concedes the switch is cheaper overall.

So your worry - "we don't know whether setup costs exceed the savings" - is answered  by the option itself . C explicitly says the benefits win out. There's no open question left for C to exploit.

Now compare E. The conclusion isn't just "costs go down" - it's "profits go  up  without compromising security." Profit depends on  revenue , not just cost. E attacks that: if  most users would switch networks  on any perceived security downgrade, then dropping from advertised  256 -bit to  128 -bit drives customers away, and lost customers mean lost revenue. That's a direct hit on the profit conclusion.

Quick way to feel the difference: 
- C affects  only costs  - and even there, it admits the company still saves.
- E affects  revenue  - the side C never touches - and turns the profit gain into a loss.

One handles cost and surrenders; the other opens a brand-new hole. That's why E wins.

Answer: E

egmat · Answer

Hi FreshStove,

Good instinct to check C, but the key is hiding in one phrase of that choice.

Read C again slowly:  "Although the companies will realize net cost benefits by switching... the companies will have to bear the initial cost of installing the new technique."

The word doing the work is  "net."  "Net cost benefits" means the savings  after  subtracting every cost - including that initial installation cost. So C already tells you that even once you pay to install  128 -bit, the company still comes out ahead overall.

That's why C can't argue against the switch. Far from hurting profits, C confirms the profit claim the argument makes: switch - net gain. The initial cost is a one-time bump that the "net benefit" has already absorbed.

Compare that to what the question actually needs. The conclusion is that the switch raises profits  without compromising security . To argue against it, you need something that makes the switch a  bad move . That's exactly what  E  does: users leave the moment they  perceive  a downgrade - and dropping from advertised  256 -bit to  128 -bit is a perceived downgrade, even if it's technically just as safe. Losing users hits profits directly.

Here's a quick way to feel the difference in C:

- If C had said the company faces  "an ongoing cost that outweighs the savings,"  -  now  it would argue against the switch.
- But it says  "net cost benefits"  - savings win after all costs are counted.

Same sentence, one changed idea, opposite effect. So C is a true-but-irrelevant detail dressed up to look like a cost objection, while  E  is the one that genuinely undermines the plan.

Answer: E

The most important concern in the minds of social media users is the p

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