Signal has issued a strong warning to Germany over the EU’s proposed chat control legislation. The company argues that mandatory client-side scanning would destroy end-to-end encryption and create unprecedented privacy risks. Signal calls on Germany to stand firm and reject policies that could compromise user security.
What Client-Side Scanning Means
Client-side scanning is a technology that scans messages directly on users’ devices before they are encrypted.
The European Union claims the system would help detect and prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). However, privacy advocates say the method is essentially mass surveillance disguised as safety.
Signal argues that once such scanning technology exists, it can easily be misused. Governments, law enforcement agencies, or hackers could exploit the system to monitor private conversations, violating fundamental human rights.
Germany’s Shifting Position
Germany previously opposed the EU’s chat control proposal but now appears to be softening its stance.
Signal President Meredith Whittaker criticized this shift, calling it a “catastrophic reversal” that puts millions of users at risk.
Security experts agree that encryption cannot be weakened for some messages while remaining strong for others. Any scanning mechanism introduces vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit across all encrypted systems.
Whittaker emphasized that encryption must remain absolute: “Either it protects everyone, or it protects no one.”
Signal’s Stand on Encryption
Signal has made its position clear — the company would rather leave the European market than compromise its encryption model.
If forced to implement client-side scanning, Signal says it will shut down operations across Europe.
The company insists that maintaining true end-to-end encryption is non-negotiable, even if that decision limits its reach.
This stance highlights a growing divide between privacy advocates and regulators who prioritize surveillance over digital freedom.
The Broader Impact
The proposed regulation could reshape how encryption works across the entire tech industry. If approved, every encrypted platform — from messaging apps to cloud storage — could be required to implement scanning systems.
Experts warn that normalizing such backdoors would erode global trust in digital communication and set a dangerous precedent for censorship and control.
Conclusion
Signal’s warning to Germany marks a pivotal moment in Europe’s digital privacy debate. The company’s refusal to compromise reinforces a vital principle: security and privacy must coexist.
Client-side scanning may claim to protect users, but in practice, it risks turning every device into a surveillance tool. Germany’s decision could determine the future of encryption — not only in Europe but across the world.
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