- The Danish Government withdraws EU message screening proposal.
- Voluntary message screening keeps its place until 2026.
- Privacy advocates and tech firms celebrate the decision.
- Delay in EU digital surveillance legislation.
Denmark has retracted its EU-wide proposal for mandatory encrypted message screening, announced by Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard in late October 2025, following significant criticism.
The withdrawal maintains privacy by preserving voluntary screenings, delaying potential EU legislation until 2026, affecting tech industry approaches and reinforcing privacy advocacy.
Denmark Withdraws EU Encrypted Message Screening Proposal
The Danish Government has withdrawn its proposal for mandatory EU screening of encrypted messages after facing strong opposition from privacy advocates and tech firms. This move will preserve the voluntary framework for message screening in the European Union until at least 2026.
Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced the decision, stating that the measure will not be included in the EU’s presidency compromise. “The measure will not be included in the EU presidency’s new compromise proposal. The voluntary nature for tech companies to screen encrypted messages will remain in force,” said Hummelgaard. Source. Tech industry leaders and privacy advocates have praised the decision, emphasizing the importance of digital freedoms.
Impact and Reaction
This withdrawal affects messaging platforms integrated with cryptocurrencies, leaving voluntary scanning in place. Community trust in privacy sees improvement, although no immediate financial market disruptions are observed as a result of the change. The decision delays binding EU digital surveillance legislation, highlighting divisions among EU states on privacy issues. Tech firms and privacy advocates are wary of future regulatory proposals resurfacing and will continue to monitor legislative trends closely.
Community Response
While no significant market changes are noted, the withdrawal strengthens privacy narratives among the tech and crypto communities. Potential future legislative proposals could again test these communities’ commitment to data protection and privacy measures. Expert opinions from the likes of Circle emphasize the protection of encryption as a human right.
A major victory for digital freedoms in the EU,” said Patrick Hansen, Director of EU Strategy and Policy at Circle. Source. As historical trends suggest, prior regulatory withdrawals have led to a rise in privacy technology usage within the crypto industry.
