The encrypted messaging app Signal has announced it would leave the Swedish market if the government proceeds with a controversial proposal requiring messaging services to create backdoors for law enforcement access.
In an exclusive interview, Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker firmly stated that the company would exit Sweden rather than comply with the proposed law, which would require messaging apps to store user communications and provide access to police and security services.
"This proposal essentially asks us to break our encryption - the foundation of our entire operation. We would never compromise our security architecture by storing data this way," said Whittaker.
The proposed legislation, scheduled for parliamentary vote in March next year, would mandate companies like Signal and WhatsApp to maintain records of all messages sent through their platforms. The government's stated aim is to help law enforcement access communication histories of criminal suspects.
While the Swedish Police and Security Service support the initiative, the Swedish Armed Forces have expressed strong opposition. Notably, the military recently encouraged its personnel to use Signal for secure communications.
The Armed Forces warned in a letter to the government that implementing such requirements would inevitably create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Whittaker echoed these concerns, citing recent cyber attacks where communication data was compromised.
"There's no such thing as a backdoor that only 'good actors' can access," Whittaker emphasized. "Our responsibility is to provide technology that protects human rights in an era where digital privacy is increasingly under threat."
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has defended the proposal, stating that law enforcement's ability to access electronic communications is "absolutely decisive" for their work.
Signal, operated by a non-profit foundation, remains firm in its stance against implementing any technical compromises that could weaken its security architecture.