EU Greens demand Transparency Over Kallas‘s Signal Chat with Foreign Ministers
Brussels – EU parliamentarian Daniel Freund of the green Party is demanding answers from Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding a private Signal chat group used for communication with EU foreign ministers. The call for transparency comes amid concerns about the security and accountability of diplomatic discussions conducted on encrypted platforms.
The existence of the Signal group, first reported by SWR, has sparked criticism centered on the lack of public record and potential for undisclosed influence. Freund, the Greens’ coordinator in the Budget Control Committee, asserts that the ”obligation to be obvious also applies to digital channels,” raising questions about who participates in the discussions, security protocols, and the substance of the conversations.
According to freund, the chat group raises “many questions,” specifically requesting clarification on participant access and the content shared. He has formally requested kallas preserve the chat logs,suggesting the discussions may extend beyond routine matters like birthday wishes and vacation photos. “We expect Kallas to answer open questions and not hide behind the pretext of European security,” freund told SWR.
The demand for transparency underscores a growing debate within the EU regarding the use of encrypted messaging apps by government officials. While proponents cite security benefits, critics argue such platforms circumvent standard transparency procedures and hinder public oversight of policy decisions. The outcome of Freund’s inquiry could set a precedent for future communications within the EU’s diplomatic sphere.