Messaging platform Telegram sent a notification to users in France warning that a proposed European Union law could undermine digital privacy by allowing governments to scan private messages.
The message, distributed to French Telegram users this week, claimed that the EU was close to approving legislation that would “turn everyone’s phone into a spying tool” by requiring apps to automatically scan private communications for illegal material.
Telegram said France had been one of the main supporters of the proposal, naming former and current Interior Ministers Bruno Retailleau and Laurent Nuñez, and citing their public statements supporting broader police access to encrypted messages. The platform said lawmakers from both President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party and The Republicans backed the measure.
According to Telegram, the law would not stop criminals but would instead endanger ordinary users by compromising their privacy. The message also alleged that officials and law enforcement communications would be exempt from such scanning.
The company credited Germany with blocking the measure at the last moment, saying its opposition “saved our rights,” but warned that privacy in Europe remained under threat as some governments continue to push for expanded surveillance powers.
The European Commission and French officials have previously said the proposal, known informally as the “Chat Control” regulation, is intended to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material online while balancing privacy protections.
Civil liberties groups and several technology companies, however, have criticized the plan as a potential mass surveillance system that would weaken encryption and digital security.
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