Signal Threatens EU Exit Over Proposed Chat Control Measures
Brussels – Signal, the widely-respected encrypted messaging service, may withdraw from the European market if the EU moves forward with proposed legislation enabling broad digital surveillance, according to Signal Foundation President Meredith Whittaker.
Whittaker told the German Press Agency (dpa) that Signal would “unluckily” choose to leave Europe rather than compromise its encryption and data protection guarantees. The proposed EU regulation, debated for three years, would require providers to scan messages on users’ devices before encryption – effectively mandating built-in surveillance mechanisms.
Signal is renowned for its end-to-end encryption, ensuring private messages remain unreadable to both corporations and government authorities. Whittaker emphasized the importance of maintaining this protection, stating it “guarantees the privacy of millions and millions of people around the world, often also in life-threatening situations.” She also criticized the notion of a “back door” accessible only to authorized parties, calling it ”magical thinking.”
Critics argue the chat control measures, framed as a means to combat sexual abuse, could establish a widespread surveillance apparatus subjecting all citizens to general suspicion.
whittaker also cautioned against the increasing use of AI agents - automated software programs with extensive access to personal data,including calendars,credit cards,and messaging apps. She called on major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft to integrate protective mechanisms at the operating system level to mitigate the risks posed by these agents’ “enormous access and almost unlimited authorizations.”
