European Commission to Require Messengers and Services to Have Backdoors in End-to-End Encryption

The European Commission has unveiled a new internal security strategy that includes a roadmap for “lawful and effective law enforcement access to data” and encryption tools. The initiative will primarily target messaging apps, which will be required to create backdoors for law enforcement, but it will not be limited to them.

Image source: Guillaume Périgois / unsplash.com

The ProtectEU strategy aims to strengthen the EU’s ability to “keep its citizens safe” by creating a “stronger legal framework” that allows for “enhanced information sharing and deeper cooperation.” The proposed rules would “allow law enforcement to lawfully access encrypted data to protect cybersecurity and fundamental rights” – despite platforms like Signal opting to shut down in certain regions rather than abandon encryption.

Previously, the British authorities demanded a backdoor for Apple’s encrypted services – the company was forced to disable encryption for residents of the country. This is not the first time that European officials have spoken about the need to create backdoors to bypass encryption tools in instant messaging systems and other communication platforms – previously they justified this by the need to scan user data for materials of an inappropriate nature.

Another stated aim of the project is to make Europol “a truly operational police agency to enhance support to Member States”; the agency is given a role “in investigating cross-border, large-scale and complex cases involving serious threats to the internal security of the Union.” The EU has 27 countries, and implementing coherent mechanisms for shared security will be challenging: each country has its own law enforcement agencies, goals and budgets, so the strategy talks about promoting a “cultural change” aimed at uniting the EU members.

«Security is a key prerequisite for open, growing societies and prosperous economies. That is why today we are launching an important initiative to better counter security threats such as terrorism, organised crime, the rise of cybercrime and attacks on our critical infrastructure. We will strengthen Europol and provide law enforcement agencies with modern tools to combat crime. Researchers, businesses and even citizens will also be able to contribute to increased security for all,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.