EU extends 'Chat control' law to permit scanning of private messages

On 9 July the European Parliament voted to extend the “Chat control” regime (Regulation 2021/1232), allowing selected digital services to detect child sexual‑abuse material in users’ private communications and to report it to authorities. The measure passed with a minority of 276 votes in favour against 314 against after the EU Council intervened, and it does not obligate providers but creates a precedent for further intrusions.

Major platforms such as Gmail, Messenger, Meta, Google and Microsoft are already affected. Critics argue the rule threatens privacy and could be expanded to other threats, while the European Commission is preparing a “Chat control 2.0” proposal that may broaden the powers.

The decision raises concerns about the balance between combating abuse and safeguarding fundamental digital rights across the EU.