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Creating apps like Signal or WhatsApp could be 'hostile activity,' claims UK
watchdog

Date:
Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:42:37 +0000

Description:
An independent review of the newly implemented National Security Act suggests
that developers of encrypted messaging apps may be considered hostile actors.
This, as lawmakers' pressure against encryption keeps growing.

FULL STORY

Developers of apps that use end-to-end encryption to protect private
communications could be considered hostile actors in the UK. 

That is the stark warning from Jonathan Hall KC, the governments Independent
Reviewer of State Threats Legislation and Independent Reviewer of Terrorism
Legislation, in a new report on national security laws. 

In his independent review of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 
and the newly implemented National Security Act, Hall KC highlights the
incredibly broad scope of powers granted to authorities. 

He warns that developers of apps like Signal and WhatsApp could technically
fall within the legal definition of "hostile activity" simply because their
technology "make[s] it more difficult for UK security and intelligence
agencies to monitor communications." 

He writes: "It is a reasonable assumption that this would be in the interests
of a foreign state even if though the foreign state has never contemplated
this potential advantage." 

The report also notes that journalists "carrying confidential information" or
material "personally embarrassing to the Prime Minister on the eve of
important treaty negotiations" could face similar scrutiny. 

While it remains to be seen how this report will influence future amendments,
it comes at a time of increasing pressure from lawmakers against encryption.

Encryption under siege

While the reports strong wording may come as a shock, it doesn't exist in a
vacuum. Encrypted apps are increasingly in the crosshairs of UK lawmakers,
with several pieces of legislation targeting the technology. 

Most notably, Apple was served with a technical capability notice under the
Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) demanding it weaken the encryption protecting
iCloud data. That legal standoff led the tech giant to disable its Advanced
Data Protection instead of creating a backdoor . 

The Online Safety Act is already well known for its controversial age
verification requirements. However, its most contentious provisions have yet
to be fully implemented, and experts fear these could undermine encryption
even further. 

On Monday, Parliament debated the Act following a petition calling for its
repeal. Instead of rolling back the law, however, MPs pushed for stricter
enforcement . During the discussion, lawmakers specifically called for a
review of other encrypted tools, like the best VPNs . 

The potential risks of the Act's tougher stance on encryption were only
briefly mentioned during the discussion, suggesting a stark disconnect 
between MPs and security experts. 

Olivier Crpin-Leblond, of the Internet Society, told TechRadar he was
disappointed by the outcome of the debate. "When it came to Client Side
Scanning (CSS), most felt this could be one of the 'easy technological fixes'
that could help law enforcement greatly, especially when they showed their
frustration at Facebook rolling end-to-end encryption," he said. 

"It's clearly not understood that any such software could fall prey to
hackers." 

It is clear that for many lawmakers, encryption is viewed primarily as an
obstacle to law enforcement. This stands in sharp contrast to the view of
digital rights experts, who stress that the technology is vital for 
protecting privacy and security in an online landscape where cyberattacks are
rising. 

"The government signposts end-to-end encryption as a threat, but what they
fail to consider is that breaking it would be a threat to our national
security too," Jemimah Steinfeld, CEO of Index on Censorship, told TechRadar. 

She also added that this ignores encryption's vital role for dissidents,
journalists, and domestic abuse victims, "not to mention the general
population who should be afforded basic privacy." 

With the battle lines drawn, we can expect a challenging year ahead for
services like Signal and WhatsApp. Both companies have previously pledged to
leave the UK market rather than compromise their users' privacy and security. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/creating-apps-like-signal-o
r-whatsapp-could-be-hostile-activity-claims-uk-watchdog

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