Key facts
- The European Parliament voted to send a bill enabling tech companies to scan for child sexual abuse material to EU member states.
- This legislation was previously rejected by the Parliament in March.
- An amendment exempting end-to-end encrypted services like WhatsApp and Signal from scanning was successfully added.
- The vote to stop the bill entirely failed, with 314 votes against, 276 in favor, and 17 abstentions.
- The European People's Party heavily influenced the vote, while liberal and social-democrat groups were split.
The European Parliament has voted to advance a controversial bill that would permit tech companies to scan for child sexual abuse material, sending it to EU member countries for approval. This decision follows the bill's rejection in March and a subsequent push by the center-right European People's Party (EPP) to revive negotiations.
Lawmakers added an amendment to exempt end-to-end encrypted services, such as WhatsApp and Signal, from the scanning requirements. Despite this, both proponents and opponents expressed disappointment. Lena Düpont, the EPP's home affairs spokesperson, stated the group was not satisfied with the outcome, desiring a straightforward return of the law. Irena Joveva, a liberal lawmaker, voiced disappointment that the Council forced the vote, while tech lobby group DOT Europe noted that amendments cause delays.
Child rights groups, like ECLAG, argued that the vote was crucial for closing a legal gap that endangers children. The bill's revival utilized an obscure and rarely used procedure within the EU's legislative process, making it easier to pass than to defeat. The parliamentary session was described as chaotic, with some members expressing confusion about the voting procedure.
Opponents of the bill did not secure the necessary 361 votes to block it entirely, falling short with 314 votes against, 276 in favor, and 17 abstentions. The vote was largely supported by the EPP, with other groups showing divided opinions.
Top conservative figures, including EPP chief Manfred Weber and several European Commissioners, reportedly lobbied lawmakers. Critics also pointed to the timing of the vote on the final day of July as a tactic to make securing an absolute majority difficult. A significant success for privacy advocates was the amendment concerning end-to-end encryption. The Council of the EU will now review these amendments, with the European Commission stating it will conduct an assessment.