Coalition Warns Ireland: Encryption Backdoors Risk Global Cybersecurity

A coalition of civil society organizations, cybersecurity experts, and technology companies has issued an open letter urging the Irish government to abandon its proposed legislation that would grant law enforcement access to encrypted messaging services. The draft Communications (Interception and Lawful Access) Bill, expected to replace the 1993 Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, has not yet been publicly released, but its intent to mandate "backdoor" access to end-to-end encryption has already drawn widespread criticism. The letter, signed by over 50 entities including the Global Encryption Coalition, Mozilla, and the Internet Society, argues that such measures would create systemic vulnerabilities, increasing risks of cybercrime, identity theft, and foreign cyberattacks. The coalition emphasizes that encryption is a foundational security feature, and any deliberate weakening would compromise the privacy and security of all users, not just those under investigation.

The proposed law aligns with Ireland's broader support for the EU's controversial Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, commonly referred to as "Chat Control." This EU initiative would require private messaging services to scan communications for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) before encryption, a measure criticized for enabling mass surveillance. The open letter highlights that Ireland's endorsement of Chat Control contradicts its stated commitment to privacy and human rights. The European Court of Human Rights has previously ruled that mandatory decryption obligations are disproportionate to their aims, noting that such measures could facilitate "routine, general, and indiscriminate surveillance" by both state and non-state actors. Similarly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that mandated backdoors jeopardize the privacy of all users, not just those identified as suspects.

Critics argue that Ireland's position risks undermining its reputation as a hub for tech innovation. As home to the EU headquarters of companies like Apple and Meta, Ireland's regulatory environment could influence global standards. The open letter warns that encrypted service providers would face an "impossible choice": either comply with backdoor mandates and weaken security for all users or exit the Irish market entirely. This scenario, the coalition states, would erode trust in digital services and harm Ireland's economic competitiveness.

Legal and technical analyses further complicate the proposal. An Garda Síochána's handling of NCMEC referrals in 2020 revealed systemic issues with error-prone scanning technologies, including the wrongful flagging of 11% of flagged cases as CSAM. Despite clearing many individuals, the Garda retains personal data indefinitely, raising concerns about misuse. The coalition argues that Chat Control would exacerbate these issues, leading to more false positives and prolonged retention of sensitive information.

The international opposition to Ireland's stance is growing. Germany's Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig, recently declared mass scanning of private messages "taboo" in a constitutional state, while Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands have openly opposed Chat Control. The open letter urges Ireland to withdraw its support for both the domestic bill and the EU proposal, emphasizing that any erosion of encryption would have "lasting consequences for Ireland's digital future and international standing".

The coalition has called for direct engagement with Irish officials, including a meeting with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, to ensure legislation protects rather than undermines privacy and security. With Ireland set to assume the EU Council Presidency in July 2026, the outcome of these debates could shape the future of digital rights across Europe.

Source: [1] Global Encryption Coalition (https://www.globalencryption.org/2025/10/open-letter-irish-communications-interception-and-lawful-access-bill/)

[2] Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/ireland-encryption-law-chat-control-privacy-warning)

[3] Irish Council for Civil Liberties (https://www.iccl.ie/press-release/international-experts-call-for-halt-to-governments-plans-to-break-encryption/)

[4] European Court of Human Rights (https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre{%22itemid%22:[%22001-230854%22]})

[5] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/51/17)

[6] ASIS International (https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2025/october/EU-encryption-laws/)

[7] Irish Council for Civil Liberties (https://www.iccl.ie/news/an-garda-siochana-unlawfully-retains-files-on-innocent-people-who-it-has-already-cleared-of-producing-or-sharing-of-child-sex-abuse-material/)