Belgian minister wants to tap private messages

Belgium’s justice minister Koen Geens has plans to expand the government’s surveillance capabilities. In addition to tapping telephone conversations, the minister would also like to tap private messages sent via WhatsApp, Facebook and Skype, reports De Morgen. He cites the fight against terrorism as the primary reason for the stricter measure. Geens will lead the first discussions around the proposal next Friday.

Currently in Belgium, private messages can only be accessed with a court order. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so because more and more communication apps encrypt their messages. WhatsApp, for example, has been encrypting messages on Android smartphones since November, so that even the company itself does not have access.

The new measure would affect all Belgians, and not only people who are suspected of inciting terrorism. Geens has targeted messaging services because it is known that some terrorists keep in touch with each other over the internet.

The interception of encrypted messages was in the news earlier this week, when British prime minister David Cameron said he wanted to investigate whether it was possible to ban all apps that use encrypted messaging.