Ethereum Co-Founder Warns Against Surveillance Backdoors in Private Messaging
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has strongly criticized the European Union’s proposed “Chat Control” legislation, warning that it undermines digital privacy and creates security vulnerabilities for millions of users.
Vitalik Buterin Calls for Privacy Protection
In a recent post, Buterin voiced his concerns about the plan to mandate scanning of private communications for illegal content. “We all deserve privacy and security… for our private communications,” he wrote, emphasizing that true security cannot be built by weakening digital protections.
“You cannot make society secure by making people insecure,” Buterin added, stressing that surveillance backdoors intended for law enforcement are “inevitably hackable” and expose citizens to broader cybersecurity risks.
Lawmaker Exemptions Spark Criticism
Buterin also criticized reports suggesting that government officials may exempt themselves from the proposed rules. A leaked draft revealed that interior ministers, intelligence agencies, police, and military staff could be excluded from the mass surveillance requirements. “The fact that government officials want to exempt themselves from their own law is telling,” Buterin noted.
Currently, 15 EU member states support the proposal, but it lacks the required 65% population threshold for passage. Germany’s stance will be decisive: if it votes in favor, the law is expected to pass; if it abstains or rejects it, the legislation will likely fail.
Industry Experts Warn of Consequences
Privacy advocates argue that Chat Control could drive users toward decentralized Web3 platforms that prioritize security and anonymity. Hans Rempel, CEO of Diode, explained that Web3’s “not your keys, not your data” principle appeals to users concerned about state surveillance.
With the debate intensifying, analysts suggest the EU faces a critical decision between enhancing law enforcement tools and preserving fundamental privacy rights. As Buterin and other industry leaders highlight, building backdoors may end up weakening digital security for everyone, not strengthening it.
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