Finnish Figures Pen Open Letter to Henna Virkkunen, Decrying EU Chat Control as 'Dictator's Dream'

A coalition of Finnish public figures, including prominent politicians, academics, and digital rights advocates, has issued an open letter to Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. The letter vehemently opposes the European Union's proposed "Chat Control" regulation, labeling it a "dictator's dream" due to its perceived threats to privacy and digital security. The initiative, spearheaded by Katleena Kortesuo, highlights growing concerns over the regulation's potential for mass surveillance.

The controversial EU proposal, officially known as the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse (CSAR), aims to mandate the scanning of private digital communications, including encrypted messages, for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Critics argue that this measure, often referred to as "Chat Control," would undermine end-to-end encryption and lead to widespread, suspicionless surveillance of all EU citizens. Experts warn that such a system is technically unfeasible, prone to high false-positive rates, and creates significant security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Signatories to the Finnish open letter include notable individuals such as Petter Järvinen, Tuomas Enbuske, Rami Kurimo, Timo Furuholm, Janne Järvinen, and Jyrki Vainio. Their collective opposition underscores a broad concern across various sectors regarding the implications of the proposed legislation. Digital rights organizations and cybersecurity experts across Europe have consistently voiced similar warnings, emphasizing that weakening encryption for all users would compromise the digital safety of society.

Henna Virkkunen, as the lead commissioner for digital policy, has been at the forefront of the EU's efforts to shape a competitive and secure digital future, while also overseeing the enforcement of existing digital regulations. While the stated goal of the Chat Control regulation is to protect children, opponents argue that it would not effectively achieve this and instead would erode fundamental rights to privacy and data protection, as enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Many suggest that resources should instead be directed towards targeted investigations, victim support, and educational initiatives.

The debate surrounding Chat Control has intensified as the EU Council approaches a decision on the proposal, with a final vote expected in October 2025. Critics assert that the regulation would set a dangerous global precedent, potentially enabling authoritarian regimes worldwide to implement similar intrusive surveillance measures. The Finnish open letter adds to a chorus of voices urging EU policymakers to reconsider the far-reaching consequences of the proposed legislation on democratic values and individual freedoms.