Key facts
- The European Parliament has approved measures allowing social media platforms to voluntarily scan private messages for child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
- These rules, referred to by critics as "Chat Control," are temporary and will be in effect until 2028.
- Digital rights groups like the European Digital Rights (EDRi) association argue the measures amount to mass surveillance and violate fundamental EU values.
- Proponents, such as MEP Jeroen Lenaers, state the goal is to close a legal loophole and that the rules do not constitute general surveillance.
- The measures do not apply to end-to-end encrypted messages.
The European Parliament has revived controversial measures, dubbed "Chat Control" by critics, which permit social media platforms to voluntarily scan private messages for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These temporary rules, set to remain in force until 2028, were reinstated following a vote on July 9, despite more MEPs opposing than supporting them, as the required absolute majority to reject the measures was not met.
Digital rights organizations, including the European Digital Rights (EDRi) association, have strongly criticized the legislation, labeling it a "big breach of our digital rights" and a form of "mass surveillance." Simeon de Brouwer from EDRi argued that the policy outsources law enforcement duties to private companies without adequate safeguards and allows them to review communications, subsequently reporting them to EU law enforcement. These measures, referred to as Chat Control 1.0, are intended to be replaced by a permanent regulation proposed in 2022, with negotiations reportedly nearing a deal.
Conversely, proponents like Jeroen Lenaers, an MEP from the European People's Party (EPP), reject the "Chat Control" label and mass surveillance claims. He stated that the aim is to close a legal loophole that hinders the detection of CSAM and expressed confidence that the permanent regulation will balance privacy and children's rights. Lenaers accused opposing political groups of campaigning with "little regard for the facts."
Children's rights advocates, such as survivor Scharliina Eräpuro, are urging lawmakers to prioritize child protection, highlighting the estimated rate of child sexual abuse online. Eräpuro expressed disappointment that children's rights are not central to the debate and called for a middle ground in negotiations for the permanent framework, emphasizing that Europe could serve as a global role model in combating online child sexual abuse.