EU moves to mandate scanning of private messages, France supports law

On October 14, 2025, the European Union was set to vote on a law that would mandate the scanning of private messages on apps, a move that has raised concerns about privacy rights. France has been a leading advocate for this legislation, with both former and current Interior Ministers, Bruno Retailleau and Laurent Nuñez, expressing support for the measure. In March, they stated that police should have access to the private messages of French citizens.

The proposed law aims to combat crime but has been criticized for potentially infringing on the privacy of ordinary citizens. Critics argue that criminals could easily evade detection by using VPNs or other means, while the law would exempt police and officials from surveillance, placing the burden solely on the general public.

On this day, Germany"s unexpected opposition to the law played a crucial role in defending privacy rights within the EU. However, the threat to personal freedoms remains, as French leaders continue to advocate for measures that would allow extensive access to private communications. The basic rights of French citizens, as well as those of all Europeans, are still at risk amid these developments.

For more on this topic, see our previous reports regarding the EU"s stance on surveillance measures.

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