Denmark Withdraws Proposal on Encrypted Message Screening

According to Cointelegraph, Denmark, currently holding the European Council presidency, has retracted a proposal that would have mandated platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to allow authorities to screen messages prior to encryption. This legislation, known as the Chat Control law, was initially introduced in May 2022 to combat the dissemination of illicit content via messaging services. A revised version emerged this year, sparking criticism over concerns that it would compromise encrypted messaging and infringe on privacy rights. The withdrawal signifies that screening will remain voluntary.

Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard announced that the proposal will not be included in the EU presidency's new compromise proposal, maintaining the voluntary nature for tech companies to screen encrypted messages, as reported by Danish newspaper Politiken on October 30. The current voluntary framework is set to expire in April 2026. Politiken noted Hummelgaard's warning that without resolving the political impasse over Chat Control, the EU would lack legal mechanisms to address misuse of messaging services by bad actors. The decision to retract the proposal aims to facilitate the establishment of a new framework before the deadline.

The withdrawal has been met with approval from tech giants and privacy advocates. X's Global Government Affairs team described Denmark's decision as a significant setback for mass surveillance proponents, pledging to continue monitoring negotiations and opposing any government efforts to implement mass surveillance of users. Patrick Hansen, director of EU Strategy and Policy at stablecoin issuer Circle, hailed the news as a major victory for digital freedoms in the EU. Similarly, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a civil liberty nonprofit, suggested that public pressure influenced the EU Council's decision to abandon its plan to scan encrypted messages.

Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist with the EFF, argued in a blog post that lawmakers should cease attempts to circumvent encryption under the pretext of public safety. He emphasized the need for developing solutions that respect human rights globally. Klosowski asserted that as long as lawmakers misunderstand encryption technology, message-scanning proposals cannot progress in the EU or elsewhere. He described such surveillance as an overreach and an attack on fundamental human rights, urging future EU presidencies to abandon these attempts and focus on solutions that safeguard privacy and security. Ireland is set to assume the EU Council presidency in July 2026, succeeding Denmark after its year-long tenure.