Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has introduced a set of anti-terrorism measures to his intelligence council.
WhatsApp and Others
Central to this plan is a proposal for stricter surveillance of messaging services. The Austrian government now considers Islamist terrorism a significant threat to the nation’s security and freedom.
According to Ziare, the new measures would grant the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior broader powers to monitor digital communications.
This would include the ability to decrypt popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, enabling security agencies to access and analyze messages when necessary.
Urgency after Canceled Swift Concerts
The urgency behind these proposals was highlighted by a recent incident. On August 8th, Austrian police thwarted a terrorist plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert.
Three teenagers, aged 17 to 19, were arrested in connection with the planned attack. During a search of one suspect’s home, authorities discovered technical equipment intended for manufacturing explosives.
In response to this threat, Chancellor Nehammer emphasized the need for enhanced monitoring capabilities. By increasing the surveillance of social networks and messaging services, the Austrian government aims to prevent similar threats in the future and strengthen its counter-terrorism efforts.
