Major messaging apps including WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram have joined forces to launch a campaign against government surveillance of online communications. The campaign, dubbed "Messaging Privacy is a Human Right," aims to raise awareness about the importance of end-to-end encryption and the threats posed by government surveillance.

The move comes in response to growing concerns about the increasing use of surveillance technology by governments around the world. According to the campaign, more than 70% of the world's population live in countries where their online communications are monitored by authorities.

In a joint statement, the companies behind the campaign said: "As messaging apps, our goal is to help people connect with each other in a safe and secure way. But we can't do that if governments are allowed to monitor our users' communications without cause or due process."

The campaign is calling on governments to respect the right to privacy and to refrain from using surveillance technology to monitor online communications. It is also calling on users to demand better privacy protections and to support the use of end-to-end encryption.

The use of end-to-end encryption has become increasingly controversial in recent years, with some governments arguing that it hinders their ability to investigate and prevent crime. However, advocates of the technology argue that it is essential for protecting users' privacy and preventing government overreach.

The Messaging Privacy is a Human Right campaign is the latest effort by tech companies to push back against government surveillance. In recent years, companies such as Apple and Google have been involved in high-profile legal battles with governments over issues such as access to encrypted devices and the sharing of user data.

The campaign has already garnered support from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups around the world. In a statement, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a leading digital rights group, said: "The right to privacy is a fundamental human right, and online communications should be no exception. We fully support this campaign and urge governments to respect the privacy of their citizens."

As the campaign gains momentum, it is likely to put increasing pressure on governments to rethink their approach to online surveillance. With more and more people relying on messaging apps for communication, the right to privacy has never been more important.