Denmark withdrew its effort to mandate EU Chat Control. Platforms like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp will not face mandatory scanning before encryption. The measure remains a voluntary framework for encrypted messages.
Politiken reported this on Oct. 30. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard said the plan “will not be part of the EU presidency’s new compromise proposal.” He added that screening “will continue to be voluntary.”
Denmark holds the European Council presidency. The move follows a long debate on end-to-end encryption and privacy in the EU.
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Encrypted Messages and Privacy: what the change means
The withdrawn text targeted client-side scanning before encryption. Supporters framed it as a tool for investigating illegal content on messaging apps. However, critics said scanning would weaken end-to-end encryption for all users.
The EU Chat Control proposal returned this year after May 2022 debates. It again faced technical and legal questions from security and rights groups. They focused on how mandatory scanning could create broad inspection of private communications.
With the reversal, encrypted messages stay under a voluntary framework. Platforms can choose scanning approaches, but no EU rule forces them. Therefore, the current operating model continues.
April 2026 Deadline: voluntary framework set to expire
The voluntary framework ends in April 2026. Politiken said Peter Hummelgaard warned that a stalemate could leave no legal tool in place. The concern is about enforcement gaps on illicit content in messaging services.
Officials linked the retreat to timing. They want a workable proposal before the April 2026 deadline. Therefore, the reset aims to keep negotiations moving.
If talks stall past April 2026, the EU may lack a clear instrument. That possibility now drives work on the next proposal.
Industry and Civil Society Reactions: statements on mass surveillance
X Global Government Affairs called the withdrawal a “major defeat for mass surveillance advocates.” The team said it will “continue to monitor the progress of these negotiations and oppose any efforts to implement government mass surveillance of users.”
Patrick Hansen, Director of EU Strategy and Policy at Circle, welcomed the change. He called it a “Major win for digital freedoms in the EU.” The comment referenced EU Chat Control and privacy safeguards.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation also responded. The group suggested public pressure helped shift the European Council presidency stance.
Thorin Klosowski wrote that lawmakers should stop trying to bypass encryption “under the guise of public safety” and focus on “developing real solutions that don’t violate the human rights of people around the world.”
Political Timeline: Ireland to take the EU Council in 2026
Denmark leads the European Council presidency now. Ireland will assume the role in July 2026. That handover may shape the next phase of EU Chat Control talks.
Negotiators must weigh privacy, encrypted messages, and enforcement goals. They must also consider end-to-end encryption limits and technical trade-offs. The debate includes mandatory scanning, voluntary framework choices, and legal stability.
Therefore, institutions continue to map options before April 2026. Any new text will define how Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp handle scanning in the EU.
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Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: November 3, 2025 • 🕓 Last updated: November 3, 2025
