The Federal Government decides on controversial surveillance of Messenger

The Federal Government decides on controversial surveillance of Messenger

Auditorium des Parlaments, Wien, Österreich - The Austrian federal government agreed on June 18, 2025 to monitor Messenger services, which is to be applied under specific conditions of a concrete hazard. This agreement followed long negotiations and at times threatened to fail at the Neos party. Beate Meinl-Reisinger, the party leader of the NEOS and Foreign Minister, emphasizes the importance of a constitutional solution and describes the agreement as a "enormous step" for security. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) will announce the details in the course of the day after the agreement has been decided in the Council of Ministers, reports [Vol.at] (https://www.vol.at/gregierung-einigt-sich-auf-ueberwachung-von- Messenger-diensten/9487646).

The NEOS had previously expressed concerns about surveillance, but finally agreed after the necessary subsequent sharpening had been made. This includes strengthening legal protection, targeted monitoring with strong parliamentary control and far -reaching consequences in the event of abuse. This also includes the demands for the expansion of judicial control over permits and an intensive examination of the software used.

political reactions and concerns

There are already critical voices compared to the decision. The Greens accuse the NEOS that they have given up their position, while the digitization spokesman for the Greens, Süleyman Zorba, expresses concerns about the abuse potential of state spy software. The FPÖ describes the planned measure as an introduction to comprehensive digital monitoring of the population and demands alternative security approaches. Michael Schledlitz, General Secretary of the FPÖ, criticizes the government sharply and argues that the measures are not in the interests of the citizens, as [the press] (https://www.diepresse.com/19807577/ government-feit-auf-ueberwachung-von- Messenger-Diensten) reports.

In the context of similar European efforts, a look at Germany shows that data protection and surveillance laws are also being worked on. The Bundestag had already assumed a draft in May 2021 to regulate data protection and the protection of privacy in telecommunications. This refers to dealing with sensitive data in digital communication and illustrates that data protection in Europe is still a controversial and sensitive topic. The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information receives expanded powers to ensure compliance with the provisions, as stated in a report by the Bundestag.

The upcoming press conference with Interior Minister Karner, which takes place today at 11:30 in the Auditorium of Parliament, should bring further details and perspectives on the new regulation. Time will show how citizens and opposition parties will react to the new surveillance measures and to what extent they will be constitutional in the actual application.