EU plans to scan WhatsApp and Signal messages: Meta warns of threat to freedom
Kyiv • UNN
The EU is proposing a law that would oblige companies to scan messages in messengers before encryption. But many experts warn that this will undermine user privacy and security.
The EU is improving its fight against child pornography. A new law has been proposed that mandates pre-scanning of WhatsApp or Signal messages. Meta reacted by stating that "uncovering" end-to-end encryption jeopardizes digital security.
UNN reports with reference to Bild, Netzpolitik and EuropeanNewsRoom.
Details
In Europe, as part of the project to combat pedophilia, a plan for controlling messenger chats (Chat Control) is being developed. To detect the spread of child sexual abuse material in instant messages on WhatsApp or Telegram, or via email, companies owning messengers are proposed to check and scan private messages sent within the EU.
Currently, the European Council has only completed the vote on approving Chat Control. At the same time, discussions are ongoing.
Many experts point out that in practice, the introduction of such a norm would legalize mass surveillance of messages and emails of all European citizens.
This would create conditions for spying on users.
In particular, Meta noted that the implementation of chat control also undermines security standards.
The latest proposal from the EU Council Presidency still undermines end-to-end encryption and jeopardizes the privacy, freedom, and digital security of all.
Here's what other experts say.
Rainer Wendt, head of the German Police Union, emphasized:
Monitoring chats by anyone is the end of privacy, freedom of speech, and democracy. As a union member, I rely on confidential communication, for example, with journalists, colleagues, or politicians.
Bitkom IT association managing director Bernhard Rohleder said in a comment to Bild:
Instead of blind data scanning, police and investigators need state-of-the-art technology and more specialists to track down offenders.
Joachim Türk, Vice President for Child Protection, noted that "investigative bodies are already facing an almost incredible amount of data that they have to review and evaluate."
This ties up resources that would be better used in investigations and prevention.
Addition
Currently, opponents of the European chat control plan have gained another reprieve, as Berlin has not yet given its consent to the implementation of Chat Control.
Recall
Signal messenger head Meredith Whittaker stated that the app is ready to leave the EU if a law is passed that allows authorities to bypass encryption to check private messages.
A 57-year-old resident of the capital of Ukraine is suspected of abusing the trust of children and raping two girls aged 8 and 12.