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A fierce debate is raging between two camps: defenders of privacy and proponents of surveillance. While supporters of Chat Control cite child abuse as justification, opponents warn of a slide towards mass surveillance of all private communication.
Chat Control on the Table #
Representatives of the European Union’s member states reached an agreement on Wednesday in the European Council, the EU’s highest political body composed of heads of state and government.
This agreement allows work to proceed on the Chat Control project. After intense debate and major controversy, progress was significantly delayed. But now, the path appears to be cleared for new rules that, according to the Council, are aimed at combating child sexual abuse on apps like WhatsApp or Signal, as well as on other online services.
According to the Danish Minister of Justice, Peter Hummelgaard, millions of files containing images of child sexual abuse are shared every year.
Controversy #
There has been a divide between two camps for years. Many member states were reluctant to subject their citizens to privacy violations. But a middle ground seems to have been found. This new deal allows legislators to hold final discussions with the European Parliament on when and how platforms can be required to scan user content for suspected child sexual abuse and grooming.
The existing framework for online child sexual abuse expires on April 3, 2026. It could therefore be replaced by Chat Control.
Opponents see this potential law as a step towards a 1984-style scenario, where all communication from all people can be viewed by those in power.
The Content #
According to the Council, the core of the existing framework will be preserved, but the new proposal changes how platforms are encouraged to act. Online services will still have to engage in the prevention of child abuse.
A new EU center for child sexual abuse will be established, which will require cooperation from online service providers. Those who do not comply with the new rules will face regulators.
The mandatory scanning of all private messages has been removed from the text for now, but that could always change. The legal basis for so-called “voluntary” detection of child abuse by providers is extended indefinitely. There are also calls for stricter regulation for online platforms.
No One Is Satisfied #
Proponents argue that child sexual abuse will still occur on fully encrypted services.
Opponents, who hold digital rights in high regard, believe this deal still paves the way for the introduction of complete mass surveillance in the future.