EU Law Threatens Privacy with Proposed Scan of Encrypted messages on WhatsApp, Signal, and More
Brussels – A controversial new European Union regulation, dubbed “Chat Control” or CSAR (Child Sexual Abuse REGULATION), is sparking intense debate as it nears a vote that coudl compel messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Facebook Messenger to scan users’ private messages for illicit content. The proposed law, aimed at accelerating the fight against child sexual abuse material, has ignited concerns over essential rights and privacy.
If enacted, the regulation would require all messaging providers to implement systems capable of analyzing text, photos, videos, and files shared on their platforms. The goal is to help police more easily identify and track individuals involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The European Commission initially presented the text in May 2022, but a key point of contention was the initial lack of judicial oversight. the current version requires any order to scan messages to be issued by the Center of the European Union for prevention and the fight against sexual abuse on children,under the supervision of a judge.
However, the law remains heavily criticized. David Cormand, a European deputy from the Europe-Ecology group, argues the proposal “does not fulfill the objectives announced, and on the contrary will have disastrous effects in terms of fundamental rights and respect for privacy, especially children victims.” Concerns also exist that authoritarian governments could exploit the provision for broader surveillance purposes.
Opponents further question the effectiveness of automated scanning,citing the potential for false positives. “Automated scanners regularly identify innocent contents regularly as being illegal, for example vacation photos or private jokes, putting ordinary people in a situation of becoming the target of false accusations,” explains the collective Fight Chat Control. They also point to warnings from child protection experts and agencies, including the UN, that the system may not effectively protect children.
The EU member states are divided on the issue,with 14 countries currently in favor and 9 firmly opposed. France supports the text, but several French MEPs, including those from the National Rally and insoumise France parties, are strongly against it.Greece, Germany, Romania, and Slovenia remain undecided.
A vote on the law is scheduled for the Council of the European Union on October 14th, setting the stage for a crucial decision that will determine the future of online privacy for millions of Europeans. the debate centers on a fundamental question: is sacrificing a degree of privacy a justifiable trade-off in the fight against online child exploitation?
