FPÖ criticizes Neos and ÖVP: Who is behind the messenger monitoring?

FPÖ criticizes Neos and ÖVP: Who is behind the messenger monitoring?

The dispute over the planned monitoring of Messenger services continues to pick up speed. FPÖ security spokesman NABG. Mag. Gernot Darmann has a sharp criticism of the ÖVP and accuses the SPÖ that it supports the plans as a henchman of the government party. According to Darmann, the NEOS have revealed their liberal ideals and now act as "pink support wheels" for the ÖVP, which raises questions about their supposed fallen over. "What was the NEOS promised for their support of the surveillance plans?" He asks provocatively and refers to the critical statements of Neos proponents who described the draft law of Interior Minister Karner as not constitutional.

The debate about surveillance is not new, but recently re-lived up to a Taylor swift concert in Vienna by a thwarted terrorist attack. The Interior Ministry, which is led by the ÖVP, refers to a draft law for surveillance in May, while the green coalition partner expresses concerns and demands a constitutional proposal, as orf.at reports. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) emphasizes the need for all legislative proposals to maintain fundamental rights and data protection.

reactions to the monitoring plans

In the political debate, monitoring of Messenger services is regarded as a restriction of fundamental rights. Darmann emphasizes that this is not only about monitoring Islamists, but also about monitoring citizens who criticize the government. The FPÖ therefore rejects the plans and instead suggests measures against political Islam, illegal immigration and parallel societies.

Criticism also comes from human rights organizations, data protectionists and the legal chamber, all of which are against the surveillance plans. SPÖ security spokesman Reinhold Einwallner demands more transparency about the investigation into the terrorist plans and criticizes his inability to submit a constitutional draft law.

data protection as a central topic

In the background of the discussion, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has been used in every EU member state since May 25, 2018. This regulates strict requirements for the handling of personal data and sets standards that could also affect the government's surveillance practices, as the

The concerns about monitoring Messenger services are not only political in nature, but also affect fundamental basic and freedom rights of the citizens. The political actors emphasize the need for a balanced approach that takes into account both security and data protection.