- Vitalik Buterin criticized the European Union’s proposed “Chat Control” law, saying it could harm digital privacy.
- The legislation would require tech companies to scan private messages for illegal content.
- Buterin raised concerns about potential exemptions for government officials from these surveillance rules.
- The proposal has support from 15 EU countries but needs Germany‘s decision to pass.
- Crypto experts say the law could push users toward privacy-focused Web3 platforms and may conflict with EU privacy rights.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, spoke out on June 1 against the European Union’s “Chat Control” proposal. The law would make technology firms scan user messages for illegal content as part of new digital surveillance efforts.
Buterin posted on X, formerly Twitter, warning that mandatory scanning could weaken privacy for everyone. He argued, “We all deserve privacy and security… for our private communications.” He highlighted the risk of Hackers exploiting law enforcement “backdoors,” stating such vulnerabilities could make digital communication less secure.
His message responded to calls from entrepreneur Pieter Levels, who urged the European public to oppose the proposed regulation. According to Buterin, “You cannot make society secure by making people insecure.” He further criticized lawmakers for reportedly seeking to exclude themselves and government workers from the surveillance rules. A leaked report suggests EU interior ministers, police, and intelligence staff may be excluded from compliance.
Currently, 15 EU states back the legislation, but it does not yet meet the required population threshold for passage. Germany holds the deciding vote; the law will likely pass if it votes in favor but will not proceed if Germany votes against or abstains.
Experts from the crypto industry, such as Diode CEO Hans Rempel and Brickken’s Elisenda Fabrega, believe that these rules could drive users toward decentralized, privacy-focused “Web3” platforms. Fabrega added that the proposed law may break the EU’s digital market and could violate Articles 7 and 8 of the EU Charter, which protect communications and personal data.
Rempel warned that giving governments a way to access private messages increases Cybersecurity risks, as government systems have previously suffered data breaches.
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