The EU’s Metadata Comeback: Same Spying, New Wrapper
The European Commission is at it again, pushing for mandatory data retention, this time dressed up in “metadata-only” clothing. They want to force providers to log your IP address, who you talk to, when you talked to them, what devices you use, and more.
So, the European Commission is at it again, pushing for mandatory data retention, this time dressed up in “metadata-only” clothing. They want to force providers to log your IP address, who you talk to, when you talked to them, what devices you use, and more. All in the name of “fighting crime,” of course. Sound familiar?
Let me be clear: we’ve been here before.
The EU’s last attempt at mass surveillance, the infamous Data Retention Directive, was shot down by the European Court of Justice back in 2014. Since then, the ECJ has ruled against these kinds of blanket surveillance laws multiple times. But it seems Brussels didn’t get the memo. Now they’re trying to sneak it back through the side door, this time calling it “non-content data.”
Don’t fall for it.
Metadata is not harmless. It’s a map of your life. Who you talk to, when, how often, from where. It doesn’t matter if they’re not reading your messages, they’re building a digital pattern that says more about you than the content ever could.
They’re doing this while pretending it’s for your safety. That old trick again.
They’re not giving up because this kind of surveillance is a goldmine, not for fighting crime, but for controlling narratives, suppressing dissent, and automating suspicion. This isn’t about justice. This is about power.
As someone who believes in digital independence, this is exactly the kind of authoritarian creep we need to call out, loudly and often. If you’re hosting your own services, encrypting your traffic, running your own email server, congratulations, you’re part of the resistance. But don’t think they won’t come for you too.
The European Commission has opened a “public consultation.” That’s code for: “We’ve already decided, but go ahead and pretend your opinion matters.” Still, if you've got a few minutes and a keyboard, drop them a line anyway. At least make them work for it.
This fight isn’t new, but it is far from over. Stay alert.
And if you’re just waking up to this, welcome to 2025.
Sources:
Henrik Alexandersson
Lizzie Charlton
Thomas Wahl