LGBT Tech Joins Joint Letter on EU Internal Security Strategy

Last month, LGBT Tech joined 87 civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts in publishing a joint letter to the European Commission regarding the potential impacts of the  European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU) on end-to-end encryption.

ProtectEU would allow for the development of a  “Technology Roadmap on encryption, to identify and assess technological solutions that would enable law enforcement authorities to access encrypted data in a lawful manner.” This policy undermines privacy and security efforts through its encouragement of the use of “client-side scanning,” a technology that allows for the circumvention of encryption by preemptively scanning user devices.  

Allowing law enforcement authorities to undermine encryption does not increase security – it creates pathways for privacy exploitation, something of particular concern for the LGBTQ+ community. ProtectEU would expose the LGBTQ+ community to the risk of sensitive and confidential data – such as medical history and  sexual or gender identity – being accessed, surveilled, or leaked without their consent.  Given the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and legislation across governments globally, granting law enforcement access to encrypted data is especially concerning. LGBT Tech supports the letter’s recommendations to the European Commission of reframing and redeveloping the Technology Roadmap, in order to ensure the safety and privacy of LGBTQ+ individuals.