Denmark withdraws EU's "Chat Control" proposal

Denmark, the country currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, has withdrawn the controversial proposal named “Chat Control,” which required encrypted messaging applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to allow authorities to scan messages before encryption. Introduced in 2022 to combat illegal content, this bill has been criticized for infringing on privacy and digital freedom.

Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard confirmed that message scanning will continue to be voluntary and will not be included in the new EU compromise framework. The current regulation will expire in April 2026. Technology and security organizations welcomed this decision, viewing it as a victory for privacy and urging the EU to abandon mass surveillance measures.