EU votes on law to scan private messages, France supports surveillance measures

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

The proposed law received backing from members of the Republicans and President Macron’s Renaissance group. Proponents argue that such measures are intended to combat crime; however, critics contend that they primarily target ordinary citizens. They assert that criminals could evade detection by using VPNs or specialized websites, while the law would exempt communications from officials and police from surveillance.

Today, Germany"s intervention reportedly halted the advancement of this privacy-infringing legislation, preserving the rights of individuals for the time being. Nevertheless, the ongoing push by French leaders for extensive access to private messages continues to pose a threat to the basic rights of French citizens and all Europeans.

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