Key facts
- The European Parliament adopted amendments to a temporary regime allowing scanning of online communications for child sexual abuse material.
- The amendments exclude communication services that use end-to-end encryption from the scope of the law.
- This means platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger would be unable to take voluntary measures to identify users suspected of sharing CSAM.
- The temporary regime, dubbed 'chat control' by critics, was proposed for an extension until 2028.
- The amendments passed with 369 and 362 votes, indicating a significant division within the Parliament.
The European Parliament has adopted amendments that could exclude end-to-end encrypted communications from a temporary regime designed to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The amendments, passed with narrow majorities, would prevent platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger from voluntarily scanning messages for CSAM, a move that could clash with EU member states. Critics have dubbed the temporary regime 'chat control' due to privacy concerns, while supporters argue it is essential for protecting minors. The European Commission had proposed extending this temporary scheme until 2028, but the Parliament's amendments significantly restrict its scope. The vote revealed deep divisions within the Parliament, with an unusual alignment of liberal, left-wing, and far-right parties supporting the changes against the two largest political groups, the EPP and the Socialists and Democrats. Many Socialist MEPs, including the file's rapporteur Birgit Sippel, played a decisive role in the adoption of the amendments.