CITIZENS NEWS

Signal messaging app threatens exit from Europe amid Brussels' war on encryption

By ramontomeydw // 2025-10-07

• Encrypted messaging app Signal warns it will withdraw from Europe entirely rather than comply with an EU proposal forcing tech companies to break encryption, calling the plan "dangerous" and unworkable.
• The legislation would require platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to scan all messages in real time before encryption, effectively eliminating private communication and enabling government surveillance.
• Journalists, activists and security experts warn that such systems will be abused, threatening dissidents, whistleblowers and vulnerable populations who rely on encrypted messaging for safety.
• The European Parliament previously rejected the proposal, but Denmark's EU Council presidency has revived it. Germany's stance is now pivotal; if it weakens its privacy protections, Europe could lose secure messaging entirely.
• Critics argue that if the EU dismantles encryption, authoritarian regimes worldwide will follow suit, eroding privacy rights globally and leaving no secure digital space for citizens.

In a dramatic standoff over digital privacy, encrypted messaging app Signal has warned it will pull out of Europe entirely rather than comply with an European Union proposal that would force companies to break their own encryption. The controversial legislation would require platforms like WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram to scan every message in real time before encryption via a backdoor system. While the proposal has been framed as a child protection measure, it effectively turns private chats into open books for government surveillance – eliminating true privacy for millions. Signal President Meredith Whittaker told the German Press Agency that the company would "make the decision to leave the market" before compromising encryption. She also denounced the "dangerous" proposal, noting: "We are sad to see politicians continually engaging in a form of magical thinking that assumes you can create a backdoor that only the good guys will be able to access." Brussels' push for "chat control" marks a pivotal moment in the global battle over privacy rights versus state surveillance. If enacted, the law would mandate automated scanning of all messages – even as they are being typed. This has raised alarms among journalists, activists and security experts who warn that such systems, once in place, will inevitably be abused. Whittaker emphasized that encryption protects "millions upon millions of people around the world, often in life-or-death situations" – citing dissidents, whistleblowers and vulnerable populations who rely on secure communication. The European Parliament previously rejected the proposal with broad bipartisan opposition, recognizing its threat to fundamental rights. However, momentum has revived under Denmark's European Council presidency, with Germany's stance now critical. The current agreement of Germany's coalition government pledges to defend "the confidentiality of private communications and anonymity online." However, the inclusion of "in principle" suggests carveouts that could enable mass surveillance. If Berlin wavers, Europe may lose secure messaging altogether.

Will Europe lead the world into mass surveillance?

Signal has faced similar crackdowns in authoritarian states like Russia and Iran, where it circumvented blocks rather than compromise encryption. Brighteon.AI's Enoch points out that "encrypted chat apps like Signal and Telegram provide secure, private communication by preventing unauthorized surveillance from government agencies or corporate entities, ensuring users can share information without fear of interception or censorship. They empower individuals to protect their personal data and maintain autonomy in an increasingly monitored digital landscape." Meanwhile, WhatsApp head Will Cathcart condemned the proposal, telling Der Spiegel magazine that it "endangers everyone's privacy." The Switzerland-based Threema warned in April that such a proposal would place all citizens "under general suspicion," inverting democratic oversight by allowing governments to spy on populations unchecked. "Mass surveillance is not only unsuitable for fighting crime," Threema wrote in an April 2025 blog post. "It is also completely incompatible with democratic principles and poses a considerable threat to data security." Whittaker also warned of emerging threats from artificial intelligence agents that demand sweeping access to personal devices, further eroding privacy. She called on tech giants like Apple, Google and Microsoft to implement safeguards at the operating-system level. Without them, both corporate and government surveillance will continue unchecked. As Brussels edges closer to enacting what critics call one of the most invasive surveillance schemes in modern history, the stakes extend far beyond Europe. If secure encryption falls, the precedent will embolden authoritarian regimes worldwide and leave citizens nowhere to hide. Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree as they discuss the British government forcing Apple to drop encryption services in this clip. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org Heise.de Brighteon.ai MSN.com Brighteon.com

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