Critics raise privacy fears over EU message app rule

The provision in the legislation that looks set to make big services such as WhatsApp and Apple’s iMessage provide access to smaller operators drew concerns it would compromise the encryption that guards users’ data. — AFP

WASHINGTON: The EU will require tech giants to drop barriers between their hugely popular messaging services to boost competition, but critics warned on March 25 that could come at the cost of millions of users’ privacy.

Praise poured in after negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states agreed late Thursday on a sweeping law to curb market dominance of US firms like Google, Facebook owner Meta, Amazon and Apple.