Spain Wants to Ban End-to-End Encryption...
A leaked document obtained by WIRED reveals that Spain has advocated for banning encryption for millions of people within the European Union (EU), garnering strong support from other EU member states for proposals to scan private messages for illegal content. The document, a European Council survey, exposed officials' views on crafting a controversial law to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in Europe. The proposed law would require tech companies to scan their platforms, including users' private messages, to identify illegal material. However, critics argue that this poses a threat to end-to-end encryption and online privacy.
The leaked document indicates that the majority of the 20 EU countries represented support some form of scanning encrypted messages, with Spain's position emerging as the most extreme. Spain expressed a desire to legislatively prevent EU-based service providers from implementing end-to-end encryption. Cryptographers, technologists, and privacy advocates argue that weakening encryption would undermine users' privacy and digital security, affecting vulnerable groups, including children, more than it would protect them. The leaked document also highlights other countries' stances, with some endorsing scanning encrypted messengers for illegal content while protecting encryption, while others seek mechanisms to circumvent encryption through court orders or parental access.
The leaked document sheds light on the ongoing debate within the EU regarding the balance between privacy and security. While some countries support the scanning of encrypted communications to combat CSAM, others stress the importance of protecting end-to-end encryption to safeguard citizens' privacy, data security, and national security. The proposed law has significant implications for criminal investigations, government data security, citizens' privacy rights, and innovation. It remains to be seen how the EU member states will reconcile their differing views and reach a consensus on the regulation.