New EU Chat Control Proposal Moves Forward

4 days ago

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The EU's revised Chat Control proposal removes mandatory scanning but introduces a 'risk mitigation' clause in Article 4 that could still enforce scanning of private and encrypted messages.
Anonymity may be severely limited due to age-verification requirements, impacting journalists, whistleblowers, and privacy-reliant users.
The proposal expands scanning to include chat text and metadata, raising concerns about mass surveillance across the EU's 450M citizens.
Experts warn that safe CSAM detection in encrypted apps remains unfeasible, with even Apple abandoning its client-side scanning system.
The 'voluntary' scanning under Article 4 could become de facto mandatory for 'high-risk' services, undermining encryption and privacy.
Anonymous communication faces new restrictions, requiring age verification for all users, which critics compare to showing a passport for basic services.
The proposal's vague language grants authorities broad discretion, potentially leading to misuse and expanded monitoring.
The EU continues to push for scanning technologies that experts argue are neither safe nor technically viable.
The final decision rests with Coreper and the trilogue process, where privacy advocates fear rushed compromises favoring surveillance.

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