Denmark, which currently holds the European Council presidency, has reportedly withdrawn its proposal that would have required messaging platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to allow authorities to scan messages before encryption.
Originally introduced in May 2022, the so-called Chat Control law aimed to curb the spread of illicit content through private messaging apps. A revised version resurfaced this year, sparking renewed criticism from privacy advocates who warned that the measure would severely compromise encryption and users’ right to privacy.
With Denmark’s withdrawal, message scanning will remain voluntary. According to Danish newspaper Politiken (Oct. 30), Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard confirmed that the initiative “will not be part of the EU presidency’s new compromise proposal, and it will continue to be voluntary” for tech companies to screen encrypted messages.
The current voluntary framework, which expires in April 2026, leaves EU lawmakers under pressure to find a replacement before the deadline. Hummelgaard reportedly cautioned that without a new agreement, the EU could be left without legal tools to address criminal activity on encrypted platforms.
Denmark’s reversal is seen as a major setback for proponents of mass surveillance. Tech giants and privacy advocates alike welcomed the move — X’s Global Government Affairs team called it a “major defeat for mass surveillance advocates” and pledged to “continue to monitor the progress of these negotiations and oppose any efforts to implement government mass surveillance of users.”
Patrick Hansen, director of EU Strategy and Policy at stablecoin issuer Circle, welcomed Denmark’s decision, calling it a “major win for digital freedoms in the EU.”
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a civil liberties nonprofit, echoed that sentiment, suggesting that public backlash “pushed the EU Council to withdraw its dangerous plan to scan encrypted messages.”
Lawmakers urged to abandon mass surveillance
Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy advocate with the EFF, urged policymakers to stop trying to undermine encryption under the pretext of public safety.
In a blog post published Friday, Klosowski argued that governments should instead focus on “developing real solutions that don’t violate the human rights of people around the world.” He added, “As long as lawmakers continue to misunderstand how encryption technology works, there’s no viable path forward for message-scanning proposals — in the EU or anywhere else.”
“This sort of surveillance is not just an overreach; it’s an attack on fundamental human rights. The coming EU presidencies should abandon these attempts and work on finding a solution that protects people’s privacy and security.”
Ireland is set to assume the EU Council presidency in July 2026, succeeding Denmark after its year-long term.
