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Germany Reconsiders EUChat Control’ Plan as Signal Threatens to Leave Europe

Critics say mandated client-side scanning of private messages would undermine encryption.

Overview

  • A Danish presidency proposal requiring client-side scanning is slated for an EU Council vote on October 14.
  • Civil-society groups including the Chaos Computer Club and D64 urge Berlin to reaffirm its previous opposition and warn of severe rights and security risks.
  • The German government has not stated a final position, drawing criticism that a reversal would break coalition pledges to protect confidential communication.
  • Signal says it will exit the European market rather than implement scanning, arguing encryption cannot be preserved under such a mandate.
  • Experts caution that error‑prone detection would flood authorities with false reports and that likely age‑verification requirements would further threaten privacy and free expression.