End of "Chat Control": EU Parliament Stops Mass Surveillance in Voting Thriller

8 hours ago

The EU Parliament has ended the controversial mass surveillance of private messages, known as Chat Control, with a razor-thin majority.
US tech companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft must stop indiscriminate scanning of private chats in Europe from 4 April.
The decision does not create a legal vacuum but paves the way for effective, targeted child protection measures.
A new study reveals that Chat Control software like 'PhotoDNA' is unreliable, with high error rates and vulnerabilities to manipulation.
EU Commission's 2025 evaluation report highlights the failure of Chat Control, citing police overload, false positives, and lack of measurable impact on convictions.
Proponents of Chat Control spread disinformation, including claims about law enforcement 'flying blind' and the precision of scanning technology.
Survivors of abuse oppose mass surveillance, arguing it harms privacy and safe spaces for victims.
The push for Chat Control is driven by foreign-funded lobby groups and tech vendors, with significant lobbying efforts by organizations like Thorn.
Future legislation should focus on 'Security by Design,' targeted surveillance, and proactive removal of illegal content at the source.
Despite the victory, negotiations for a permanent Chat Control regulation and mandatory age verification for messengers continue, posing new threats to digital freedoms.

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