EU’s Chat Control Bill Pits Child Safety Against Digital Privacy Rights

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has publicly criticized the European Union’s proposed Chat Control legislation, warning that it poses a significant threat to digital privacy and security. In a post on X, Buterin emphasized that the requirement for tech platforms to scan private messages for illegal content undermines the right to privacy, arguing that backdoors for law enforcement are inherently insecure and exploitable. He stated, “We all deserve privacy and security… for our private communications,” and condemned the hypocrisy of lawmakers seeking exemptions from the surveillance provisions they propose for citizensVitalik Buterin Slams EU’s Chat Control Legislation^[1].

The Chat Control bill, formally known as the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation (CSAR), mandates client-side scanning of encrypted messages, photos, and videos on platforms like WhatsApp and Signal. This would require platforms to deploy AI tools to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM) before content is encrypted and sent. However, critics, including over 500 cryptographers and security researchers, argue the technology is unreliable, prone to false positives, and risks introducing systemic vulnerabilitiesThe EU could be scanning your chats by October 2025^[4]. The proposal also reveals that EU interior ministers and intelligence officials seek exemptions from the surveillance rules, further eroding public trustVitalik Buterin Slams EU’s Chat Control Legislation^[1].

As of September 2025, 15 EU member states support the legislation, but it lacks the 65% population threshold needed for passage. Germany, which holds a pivotal vote, has yet to take a definitive stance. If Germany supports the bill, it is likely to pass; if it opposes, the legislation could failVitalik Buterin Slams EU’s Chat Control Legislation^[1]. The October 14, 2025, vote will determine the outcome, with Denmark’s EU Council presidency pushing for adoption.

Privacy advocates and crypto experts warn that the legislation could have far-reaching consequences beyond messaging apps. Vitalik Buterin and others argue that weakening encryption compromises the security of decentralized systems, including cryptocurrency wallets and blockchain networks. Diode CEO Hans Rempel and Brickken’s Elisenda Fabrega note that the bill may drive users toward privacy-focused Web3 platforms, though this shift could fragment the EU’s digital market and reduce its influence on global privacy standardsVitalik Buterin Slams EU’s Chat Control Legislation^[1]. Additionally, the legislation conflicts with the EU Charter’s protections for private communications and data, as highlighted by legal scholarsThe EU could be scanning your chats by October 2025^[4].

The debate has intensified as the EU’s Council of Ministers struggles to reconcile child safety concerns with civil liberties. Proponents argue that current voluntary measures by tech companies are insufficient, citing the overwhelming volume of CSAM reported annually. However, critics point to the technical and ethical flaws in client-side scanning, including the risk of mass surveillance and the erosion of encryption’s foundational role in digital security. The European Court of Human Rights previously ruled against measures that weaken encryption, underscoring the legal challenges ahead.

With momentum growing for the legislation, the October 14 vote represents a critical juncture. If passed, the EU could set a precedent for global surveillance mandates, influencing other regions to adopt similar policies. Conversely, a rejection would reinforce the principle that privacy and security must remain inviolable, even in the face of complex societal challenges. As the debate unfolds, the balance between protecting vulnerable populations and preserving digital rights remains at the heart of the conversation.