EU Chat Control Proposal Gains Momentum Amid Privacy Concerns

A controversial proposal by the European Union to scan all private messages, known as “Chat Control,” is gaining significant momentum within the EU Council. According to reports, 19 out of 27 EU member states have reportedly expressed support for the initiative, with Denmark recently reintroducing the proposal on July 1, the first day of its EU Council presidency [1]. Notably, France, which had previously opposed the measure, now stands in favor, as reported by Korben, a prominent French tech blogger [1].

The proposal, which targets messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, mandates that all messages—regardless of whether they are protected by end-to-end encryption—be scanned before being encrypted on the user’s device [1]. This approach, referred to as “client-side scanning,” would allow authorities to inspect content in real time before it is encrypted, akin to a postal service reading a letter before it is sealed [1].

Support for the proposal includes countries like Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain, while Germany remains undecided. However, if Germany ultimately aligns with the majority, a qualified majority in the EU Council could be achieved by mid-October. A qualified majority requires that at least 55 percent of member states (15 out of 27) vote in favor, and those countries must also represent at least 65 percent of the EU’s total population [1].

The stated justification for the measure is to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), but critics argue that the proposal goes far beyond this scope. Patrick Breyer, a former Member of the European Parliament and representative of the European Pirate Party, highlighted that the initiative could lead to “mass surveillance by means of fully automated real-time surveillance of messaging and chats and the end of privacy of digital correspondence” [1]. He also noted that the measure includes mandatory age verification, effectively ending anonymity on messaging platforms [1].

Digital rights advocates are urging citizens to take action before the law becomes irreversible. They recommend contacting Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), signing petitions, and raising awareness to counter what they view as an erosion of digital privacy [1].

The debate over Chat Control reflects broader tensions within the EU regarding digital rights, surveillance, and encryption. Some observers draw parallels to Italy’s implementation of an aggressive anti-piracy platform called Piracy Shield, which enables rapid domain and IP address blocking. Since its launch, the system has blocked over 1,000 domains and more than 500 IP addresses within 30 minutes of receiving reports [3]. However, the system has also faced criticism for potential overblocking and the lack of judicial oversight, with one notable incident involving the accidental blocking of Google services [3].

The EU’s proposed message scanning could face similar challenges, including the risk of misidentifying content, undermining encryption standards, and infringing on users’ right to privacy. While supporters argue that such measures are essential for combating online crime, critics warn that they could set a dangerous precedent for digital surveillance and erode trust in secure communication platforms.

As the proposal moves forward, the balance between security and civil liberties remains a key point of contention. The outcome of the EU Council vote in October could determine the future of digital privacy in Europe and signal a shift in how global internet governance is approached.