Quick Breakdown
- The Global Encryption Coalition is urging Ireland to drop its proposed encryption access bill.
- The group warns the move could increase cybercrime and harm national security.
- It also calls for Ireland to oppose the EU’s Chat Control bill, citing similar privacy concerns.
Privacy coalition warns Ireland against encryption access bill
A global privacy advocacy group has urged the Irish government to abandon work on a new bill that would grant law enforcement access to encrypted communications, warning that the proposal could endanger citizens’ privacy and harm the nation’s tech reputation.
We’ve just fought #ChatControl – now Ireland 🇮🇪 wants its own backdoor law. 🔓
But we, together with ~40 orgs, are saying no.#NoToBackdoors 💪
Read our open letter to Ireland: 👉 https://t.co/NGudPUADpB#backdoor #encryption #privacy #security pic.twitter.com/plnqo9RJgT
— Tuta (@TutaPrivacy) October 9, 2025
In an open letter published Thursday, Ryan Polk of the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC) said the proposed Communications, Interception and Lawful Access Bill, championed by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, would undermine encryption — a cornerstone of online safety.
Polk cautioned that such legislation could expose individuals and businesses to cybercrime, drive away tech investment, and compromise Ireland’s national security.
“Any country that undermines encryption risks threatening the privacy and security of people far beyond its borders,” Polk said, adding that Ireland, as home to the EU headquarters of Apple and Meta, bears a “particular responsibility” to uphold digital security.
Undermining encryption could aid cybercriminals
According to the GEC, weakening encryption would make users and organizations more vulnerable to fraud, identity theft, and foreign cyberattacks. Polk emphasized that it’s “a misconception” that backdoors could be created for law enforcement without also being exploited by malicious actors.
He noted that companies offering end-to-end encryption may be forced to either compromise their security systems or withdraw from the Irish market if the proposal advances — both outcomes that would erode public trust and privacy.
Chat control bill faces EU pushback
The GEC also called on Ireland to withdraw its support for the controversial EU Chat Control bill, which would require online platforms to scan users’ messages before they are encrypted.
Germany’s opposition to the measure has already stalled its progress, but the coalition urged Ireland to take a leadership role against it — especially as the country is set to assume the EU Council presidency in July 2026.
The group argued that both the domestic and EU-level proposals pose similar threats to privacy and digital security across Europe.
Notably, Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, launched a new feature-rich messaging tool called XChat in June, aimed at rivaling established encrypted communication apps like Signal and Telegram.
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