EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola pushes child‑abuse content‑scan law despite Parliament rejection

EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola has asked the European Council to approve a draft law that would require private tech platforms to voluntarily scan their services for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The proposal was rejected by the European Parliament in a March plenary vote, with 311 members voting against, 228 in favour and 92 abstentions. Metsola’s move, described by diplomats as unprecedented, is aimed at tightening online child‑protection measures, but it has sparked fierce opposition from privacy advocates, who warn of mass surveillance and the erosion of encryption.

The debate has drawn pressure from German Chancellor Friedrich Merk, as well as major tech firms Meta, Google and Microsoft, which argue the rules could restrict digital freedoms. Several MEPs, including Czech Green MP Markéta Gregorová, have called the initiative a breach of parliamentary procedure. The outcome now hinges on whether the Council of Ministers will adopt the legislation, a step that could set a new regulatory precedent for online content across the EU.