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The EU chat control law has drawn sharp criticism from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who warned that the proposal threatens fundamental rights to digital privacy across Europe. In a post on X, Buterin argued that mandatory surveillance measures requiring platforms to scan private communications for illegal content would weaken, rather than strengthen, public security.
“We all deserve privacy and security for our private communications,” Buterin wrote, stressing that backdoors created for law enforcement are “inevitably hackable” and put everyone’s data at risk. His comments came amid mounting debate over the EU chat control law, which faces a decisive vote in the coming months.
Buterin did not just oppose the EU chat control law on technical grounds as he also called out what he described as hypocrisy from European officials. Referring to a report from EU Reporter, he noted that leaked drafts suggest interior ministers are seeking to exempt themselves, along with intelligence, police, and military staff, from the legislation’s surveillance requirements.
“The fact that government officials want to exempt themselves from their own law is telling,” Buterin said, underscoring concerns that the legislation could create a two-tiered system of digital rights.
Currently, 15 EU member states back the proposal, but they fall short of the required 65% of the EU population threshold for passage. Germany’s stance remains pivotal if Berlin supports the measure, the EU chat control law will likely pass. If it abstains or rejects it, the proposal could collapse.
Critics argue that the EU chat control law undermines key protections enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, particularly Articles 7 and 8, which guarantee privacy in communications and protection of personal data.
“Entrusting governments with backdoor access poses serious cybersecurity risks, given their history of data breaches,” — Hans Rempel, CEO, Diode, in an interview.
Elisenda Fabrega, Chief Legal Officer at Brickken, added that the measure could also weaken Europe’s digital competitiveness.
“The EU risks fragmenting its digital market while undermining its global influence on privacy standards,” she said.
Opponents fear that widespread surveillance may erode public trust in centralized platforms, pushing individuals and businesses toward decentralized alternatives.
The backlash to the EU chat control law may inadvertently accelerate adoption of decentralized Web3 technologies. Advocates argue that platforms built on blockchain and cryptography offer privacy by default, insulating users from surveillance-heavy systems.
“Web3’s ‘not your keys, not your data’ ethos resonates with people who are disillusioned by centralized solutions,” — Hans Rempel, CEO, Diode.
But such a migration carries risks. Fragmentation of the European digital landscape could isolate EU consumers from global networks while reducing the region’s leverage in setting future privacy norms.
At the same time, the rise of privacy-focused platforms could spur innovation in secure communications, reshaping how Europeans interact online if the EU chat control law goes into effect.
The future of the EU chat control law hinges on Germany’s upcoming decision. Should the proposal pass, it would immediately criminalize unlicensed platforms promoting encrypted messaging without government oversight. Critics warn this could criminalize everyday apps and undermine encrypted services relied upon by journalists, activists, and businesses.
Supporters of the bill argue that scanning for illegal content particularly child exploitation material is essential to safeguarding public safety. However, privacy advocates counter that the trade-off between safety and surveillance sets a dangerous precedent.
As the debate intensifies, Buterin’s intervention ensures that the crypto community remains a visible part of the conversation. His comments reflect broader concerns that attempts to legislate digital security could backfire, driving users toward technologies lawmakers may find harder to regulate.
Whether or not the EU chat control law passes, the controversy highlights the growing tension between state surveillance ambitions and the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age.
