Denmark's Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (center) presenting a bill on a Koran burning ban, on August 25, 2023 in Copenhagen. MARTIN SYLVEST / AFP
The EU will no longer seek to force online platforms and messaging services to detect images of child sexual abuse by scanning private messages, officials said on Thursday, October 30. The EU executive in 2022 proposed to require platforms to detect and report images and videos of abuse, as well as attempts by predators to contact minors. Supported by several child protection groups, the plans nicknamed "Chat Control" sparked fierce debate inside the 27-country bloc.
Critics, including the EU's own data protection authorities, lawmakers and countries like Germany, warned of the "disproportionate" threat to privacy. They were especially alarmed by the envisaged use of technology to scan private chats, including on encrypted apps like Signal and WhatsApp. Under current rules, platforms detect abusive images on a voluntary basis but the supporting legal framework expires after April 2026.
Some member states, like Denmark, wanted to renew the system but make detection mandatory. Several attempts to strike a deal between the 27 EU member states, however, failed "due to complicated discussions on particular privacy and cybersecurity," a European diplomat said.
