Cyber rights advocates are criticizing an EU proposal on access to encrypted messages

Digital rights advocates are expressing concerns over a proposal by European Union officials that would require communications companies to share encrypted messages with authorities, according to an Associated Press report.

According to the EU release, which was first reported by Austrian public broadcaster FM4, European police and intelligence authorities are unable to easily access communication platforms that make use of end-to-end encryption, like Signal or WhatsApp. 

The AP obtained a draft of the proposal, which states that "competent authorities must be able to access data in a lawful and targeted manner, in full respect of fundamental rights and the data protection regime, while upholding cybersecurity.”

The proposed mandate, which EU governments would have to put into place this month, is not legally blinding. However, it is a strong indicator of the bloc's move towards a stronger regulatory regime for communications companies. 

"The proposed EU regulation is an attack on the integrity of digital infrastructure and therefore very dangerous," German Left party lawmaker Anke Domscheit-Berg told the outlet.

About Author

Saniya More (pronounced: Saan-ya Mo-ray) is a quadrilingual journalist at The Block. She got her master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and did her undergraduate degree at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University. Her work has appeared in CBS News, Bangkok Post, Thai Enquirer, Globalists, Byline Times and other publications. When she’s not chasing a story, you will most likely find her biking, tweeting, taking photos or creating Spotify playlists for every occasion.