Parliament in Austria has approved tracking messages in chat applications
10 months ago
- #Encryption
- #Austria
- #Surveillance
- Austrian Parliament passed a law allowing security forces to monitor encrypted communications in apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Signal.
- Monitoring is limited to cases involving suspected terrorism, unconstitutional activities, or espionage.
- Permission for monitoring is initially granted for three months, with possible extensions, and requires multiple approvals.
- Opposition parties, including FPÖ and Greens, criticized the law, calling it 'citizens’ spying software' and expressing concerns about misuse.
- The Greens are considering appealing to the Constitutional Court, doubting the technical feasibility of targeted monitoring.
- Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner defended the law, stating it enhances security and adapts to modern communication methods used by terrorists.