Signal Accuses UK Government of Requiring Scanning of All Smartphones
Signal is publicly opposing the UK government's push for device-level age verification and content scanning, framing it as a surveillance tool that will expand beyond child safety.
Reporting from 1 sources: GIGAZINE.
Signal released a statement on June 8, 2026, accusing the UK government of requiring age verification and content scanning on all devices sold or used in the UK, under the Online Safety Act. The messaging app argues the proposal does not protect children and threatens privacy.
Signal published a statement on June 8, 2026, accusing the UK government of requiring age verification and content scanning on every device sold or used in the country. The messaging app, known for its end-to-end encryption, argues the proposal assumes all content contains nudity and does not protect children. The UK government is already asking Apple and Google to implement features that block nude images by default unless a user is verified as an adult. Signal warns that once mass surveillance capabilities are built, their scope will expand beyond initial promises and be abused to report people to authorities. The company calls for well-funded education and social services instead.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.