Will WhatsApp be filtered soon?Discussion of “chat control” – EU plan raises criticism
from Tobias Janßen And Sebastian Reddig
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Yui Mok/PA Wire/dpa
The EU is drawing up new rules for instant messaging services. This topic caused heated discussions in North Rhine-Westphalia. You can read here what’s really behind it and why it’s so controversial.
Criticism: massive invasion of privacy
The EU continues to work on drafting laws that would filter private chats on WhatsApp, Signal and other services. Officially it’s about child protection. Critics talk about massive invasions of privacy. Germany initially said “no” in October. But a new draft has been discussed. This should depend on the voluntary nature of the service provider. However, experts warn of hidden monitoring obligations. This can break end-to-end encryption. Users will not notice anything. Concerns about digital mass surveillance are growing.
The government is pro, the opposition is against
Here in North Rhine-Westphalia, this initiative sparked political discussions. RTL WEST today asked all NRW factions how they feel about chat controls: The CDU, SPD, FDP and AfD reject such measures. The Green Party has not responded to our email. The NRW Prime Minister would not comment on the issue today. But pressure on state politics is increasing. Because NRW can play an important role in voting in the Federal Council.
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The debate continues
The EU’s new proposals could have far-reaching consequences. According to critics, messengers may have to scan chats automatically. Encrypted messages will also be affected. Technically, that would be a paradigm shift. Many worry that secret conversations are no longer safe. Journalists, lawyers and activists see their jobs threatened. At the same time, it remains unclear whether the voluntary system will remain voluntary. One thing is clear: the debate is not over, the next EU talks will be crucial for everyday digital life in North Rhine-Westphalia and across Europe.
