EU's Chat Control Proposal Gains Support Amid Privacy Concerns
According to Cointelegraph, a controversial proposal within the European Union, known as “Chat Control,” is gaining traction, with 19 out of 27 member states reportedly supporting the initiative. This plan would require messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram to scan every message, photo, and video sent by users starting in October, even if end-to-end encryption is in place. The proposal was reintroduced by Denmark on July 1, coinciding with the start of its EU Council presidency. France, which previously opposed the measure, has now shifted its stance in favor, as noted by Patrick Breyer, a former Member of the European Parliament for Germany and the European Pirate Party. Other countries supporting the proposal include Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain, while Germany remains undecided. Should Berlin align with the majority, a qualified Council vote could potentially pass the plan by mid-October.
The EU Council requires a qualified majority to approve such measures, which involves two conditions: at least 55 percent of member states, equating to 15 out of 27, must vote in favor, and these countries must represent at least 65% of the EU’s total population. The proposal aims to implement client-side scanning, where software embedded in users’ devices inspects content before encryption. This approach has been likened to the Post Office reading letters in one's living room before they are sealed in envelopes. Critics argue that the real target is not criminals, who often use encrypted or decentralized channels, but ordinary users whose private conversations would be subjected to algorithmic scrutiny. The proposal cites the prevention of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as its justification, but it raises concerns about mass surveillance and the erosion of privacy in digital correspondence.
In addition to scanning, the proposal includes mandatory age verification, effectively removing anonymity from messaging platforms. Digital freedom groups are urging citizens to contact their Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), sign petitions, and oppose the law before it becomes irreversible. Meanwhile, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has warned that France risks societal collapse if it continues down a path of political censorship and regulatory overreach. Durov was arrested in France in August 2024, accused of failing to moderate his app to reduce criminality. He also claimed that French intelligence officials approached him earlier this year with requests to censor pro-conservative content ahead of the May 2025 Romanian election, a request he refused.
