Criticism of messenger monitoring: NEOS hopes for an amicable solution!

Criticism of messenger monitoring: NEOS hopes for an amicable solution!

The debate about the planned monitoring of messenger services in Austria is increasing in intensity. At this crucial point, on the last day of the review period, NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger expresses concern about the constitutionality of the draft law, which is intended to enable the use of surveillance and spy software to monitor encrypted messages. This change in the law is particularly controversial and has come under sharp criticism from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and data protection NGOs such as epicenter.works, which classify the proposed regulation as disproportionate.

Amnesty International emphasizes that the highly invasive spyware, which allows unhindered access to personal devices, microphones, cameras and data such as contacts, messages and photos, violates basic human rights. According to their statement, effective control of these technologies is not possible, which further increases concerns about citizens' privacy. Amnesty compares the use of such spyware to a secret intrusion into an apartment, which illustrates the seriousness of the intrusion.

Criticism from journalists and data protection advocates

The Association of Austrian Newspapers (VÖZ) in particular warns of possible violations of journalistic source protection and editorial confidentiality. Meinl-Reisinger is concerned and announces that he will carefully review the critical points in the draft law. At the same time, SPÖ chairman and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler is confident that the discussion and exchange within the coalition will be calm and constructive.

The law stipulates that security authorities can access messenger data in order to combat terrorist and unconstitutional activities. Each monitoring access is limited to three months, although there is the possibility of an extension. However, it remains unclear exactly which software should be used, which worries data protection experts. The press reported significant concerns about the security vulnerabilities these technologies would require to work effectively.

Somewhat optimistic mood among the coalition partners

Members of the government, including ÖVP Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, are optimistic that a common solution can be found. Jörg Leichtfried, State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior, emphasizes that improvements to protect professional secrecy were already made during the assessment. Despite the apparent confidence, NEOS and other observers remain skeptical about the constitutionality of the entire draft.

In summary, it can be said that the ongoing discussion about the planned messenger surveillance is subject to widespread criticism. Human rights organizations and data protection advocates warn of possible abuses and violations of privacy. Vienna.at summarizes the attitude of the political actors who, although striving for improvements, are divided in their fundamental decision about the constitutional conformity of the measures.