On May 26, 2025, CDT Europe, a member of the steering committee for the Global Encryption Coalition, together with 88 civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts, issued a joint letter to the European Commission. The letter expresses concerns about the potential effects of the European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU) on end-to-end encryption in Europe.
The strategy aims to bolster the EU's security measures amid growing geopolitical tensions. However, its proposed Technology Roadmap on Encryption may compromise a vital tool for cybersecurity and privacy. Weakening encryption could increase vulnerability to cyberattacks and surveillance for individuals, businesses, and public institutions. This would also contradict the EU's digital security goals.
"We are calling on the European Commission to recognise strong encryption as a critical pillar of Europe’s cybersecurity strategy," states the letter. It urges reframing the approach to encryption policy and involving diverse experts and civil society in future discussions. "Protecting encryption means protecting the safety and rights of everyone in Europe."
Read the full letter.