Chat Control legislation

Leaked EU documents, published before a key trilogue round, indicate member states are seeking to legalise indiscriminate mass scanning of private messages through administrative decisions rather than primary legislation. Critics say the workaround would impose blanket surveillance of private communications without a court order, reviving the controversial 'chat control' proposal by indirect means, while supporters argue it targets child sexual abuse material.

Leaked EU documents indicate member states plan to legalize mass scanning of private messages indirectly through administrative orders, bypassing lengthy legislative procedures. The revelations come just before crucial trilogue negotiations on the EU's contentious chat control proposal. Critics warn the plan would enable comprehensive surveillance of private communications without proper parliamentary scrutiny, reigniting debate over privacy versus child protection.

The sixth and final round of trialogue negotiations on the EU's Chat Control 2.0 proposal begins, with the EU Council reportedly trying to break Parliament's deadlock by proposing what critics call a "dirty deal". The compromise is said to involve promises about end-to-end encrypted communications, but opponents argue it leaves the door open to scanning private messages. Privacy advocates are urging EU citizens to make their voices heard before lawmakers decide.

Opponents of the EU's chat control proposal are pressing the European Commission to abandon the plan, calling it 'insane and illegal' and comparing it unfavourably to surveillance in China. A Dutch security expert has warned of a possible 'dirty deal' to push through the introduction of chat scanning, fuelling privacy concerns across Europe.