Joint Letter on Encryption and the European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU)

On 26 May 2025, CDT Europe, as part of the steering committee of the Global Encryption Coalition, alongside 88 civil society organisations, companies, and cybersecurity experts published a joint letter to the European Commission. The letter raises urgent concerns about the potential impact of the European Internal Security Strategy (Protect EU) on the future of end-to-end encryption in Europe.

While the strategy aims to strengthen the EU’s security response amid rising geopolitical tensions, its proposed Technology Roadmap on Encryption risks undermining one of the most essential tools for cybersecurity and privacy. Weakening encryption would leave individuals, businesses, and public institutions more vulnerable to cyberattacks and surveillance, while contradicting the EU’s own digital security objectives.

We are calling on the European Commission to recognise strong encryption as a critical pillar of Europe’s cybersecurity strategy, reframe its approach to the encryption roadmap, and involve a diverse set of experts and civil society voices in shaping future policy. Protecting encryption means protecting the safety and rights of everyone in Europe.

Read the full letter.