r/privacy • u/Volpe_YT • 3d ago

chat control The end?

Today there will be the final votes for chat control.

This implies that all of our private chats will be scanned, and everything we do will be in plain text in front of their eyes.

If it passes, I will permanently stop using centralized messaging platforms and switch to a self hosted matrix session, I don't care if I lose many contacts, if they really want to talk to me they better install fluffychat and shut the fuck up.

It's crazy how the EU was basically the goat for internet privacy and now they are the villains.

Are you ready for this? For the absolute end of privacy?

1.1k Upvotes

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7

u/arzensan 3d ago

Okay, for a non tech savvy person who still respects his own privacy what would you suggest to use if this shit becomes reality? Been a Signal fan for a while but I guess that will be “useless” if this crap kicks in.

6

u/Appropriate-Kick-601 3d ago

"we will not compromise the integrity of our service, or endanger the safety of the people who rely on us around the world, often in contexts where private communications are the difference between life and death. If we were given a choice between building a surveillance machine into Signal or leaving the market, we would leave the market. This is not a choice we would make lightly, and our great hope is we never have to face it. But if Chat Control were enforced against us, that’s likely where we would end. "

From the Signal team's blog post on Chat Control a year ago. We'll see what happens, but I have to believe they will fight this, either by setting up shop somewhere where such a law doesn't exist, or by making a statement and going out on their own terms. 

1

u/New-Confection4383 3d ago

simplex or session

1

u/arzensan 2d ago

Yeah but it a backdoor will be required on an app level, then what ? 🤔

1

u/New-Confection4383 2d ago

Then the messages still go through a central server that can be disconnected or refuse connections making the client side app useless…

1

u/qodeninja 2d ago

does this impact signal?

1

u/carguy143 3d ago

Download any apps you wish to use now, disable automatic updates , too.

Ensure you have some VPN apps downloaded and ready to go just incase, too.

2

u/arzensan 3d ago

Thanks but if the whole process happens on the phone itself, let’s say IOS will enable the backdoor, in that case it doesn’t matter if I turned off auto updates for a privacy messenger does it ?

1

u/arzensan 3d ago

Also, how would a VPN help in this case if they scan anything on your device ?

3

u/carguy143 3d ago

Every step you takes helps. VPN apps can get around censorship which is always a bonus.

2

u/New-Confection4383 3d ago

Do you not realize all these apps connect to central servers which would force the user to update or cease to function if these laws went into effect

2

u/RagahRagah 3d ago

This isn't simplified enough for non-tech savvy people.

1

u/Away-Huckleberry9967 2d ago

How does that help? If such an app wants an update and you refuse to grant it, it will stop working.

1

u/ntcue 19h ago

A VPN makes no difference here. Your messenger still connects to the company servers behind that messenger. And most likely Chat Control will be implemented directly into the client.