EC encryption technology roadmap for law enforcement data access due Q2 2026

The European Commission’s Technology Roadmap on Encryption — due Q2 2026 — tasks an expert group with identifying technical solutions enabling lawful law enforcement access to encrypted data while preserving cybersecurity and fundamental rights. Europol is simultaneously directed from 2026 to become a centre of excellence for digital forensics and to coordinate joint Member State procurement of forensic licences. The roadmap explicitly targets next-generation Europol decryption capability from 2030. Civil society groups including EDRi have warned that any exceptional access mechanism constitutes a de facto backdoor.

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