- Under Denmark's leadership, many EU member states demand that WhatsApp, Signal, and others be forced to use AI to scan all photos and links shared on their platforms.
- If the AI has even the slightest suspicion of child pornography, the image, location, phone number, and other details are automatically reported to Europol and local police.
- There is no clear procedure for what happens next; innocent users may have to explain private photos to police, and even if suspicion is unfounded, the photos are still stored.
- Once the regulation passes, WhatsApp will ask for permission to scan all photos and links; without permission, sharing images and links will be impossible. Signal has announced it will leave the EU if the law is implemented.
- Police and child abuse prevention experts say they are already overwhelmed; more automated false reports will not help. The proposal creates a new surveillance center run from the US, and history shows such surveillance power is quickly abused. Police, military, and intelligence services are exempt.
- The German government appears to support the proposal, which could become law. Others who should know better also seem in favor.
- Call to action: contact politicians, especially in Germany, to oppose this.