EU greenlights chat control: is WhatsApp privacy over?
The European Parliament approves mass scanning of messages on WhatsApp. Spain's PP and PSOE vote in favour. What does it mean for your privacy?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The European Parliament approves mass scanning of private messages
Confusion has reigned in recent hours over the fate of the controversial Chat Control, the regulation that allows authorities to scan private messages on apps like WhatsApp. While some claimed the initiative had been rejected, the reality is quite different: the European Parliament has given the green light to Chat Control 1.0, as MEP Patrick Breyer reported. The measure, already in force on a temporary basis, is now extended indefinitely, and worse still: it will never be voted on again to be removed.
Spain's two main parties, the PP and PSOE, voted in favour of the measure as a bloc, according to the voting records. This means that, from now on, any conversation on WhatsApp – and other messaging platforms – could be examined without a prior court order. Supporters of the measure cite child protection; critics see another step towards mass surveillance and self-censorship.
Among the anecdotes of the debate, one user pointed out that he does not even own a mobile phone, while another noted that total privacy never existed in Spain and recommended alternatives such as Telegram or Signal. The fact is that, once approved, the so-called "chat control" becomes a reality: your messages are no longer yours alone.
Confusion has reigned in recent hours over the fate of the controversial Chat Control, the regulation that allows authorities to scan private messages on apps like WhatsApp. While some claimed the initiative had been rejected, the reality is quite different: the European Parliament has given the green light to Chat Control 1.0, as MEP Patrick Breyer reported. The measure, already in force on a temporary basis, is now extended indefinitely, and worse still: it will never be voted on again to be removed.
Spain's two main parties, the PP and PSOE, voted in favour of the measure as a bloc, according to the voting records. This means that, from now on, any conversation on WhatsApp – and other messaging platforms – could be examined without a prior court order. Supporters of the measure cite child protection; critics see another step towards mass surveillance and self-censorship.
Among the anecdotes of the debate, one user pointed out that he does not even own a mobile phone, while another noted that total privacy never existed in Spain and recommended alternatives such as Telegram or Signal. The fact is that, once approved, the so-called "chat control" becomes a reality: your messages are no longer yours alone.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (16 replies).
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