EU proposal to scan private messages gains support
Nineteen EU states back a proposal to scan private messages on encrypted apps before encryption, raising major privacy concerns.
The European Union’s ‘Chat Control’ proposal is gaining traction, with 19 member states now supporting a plan to scan all private messages on encrypted apps. From October, apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram must scan all messages, photos, and videos on users’ devices before encryption.
France, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain back the measure, while Germany has yet to decide. The proposal could pass by mid-October under the EU’s qualified majority voting system if Germany joins.
The initiative aims to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) but has sparked concerns over mass surveillance and the erosion of digital privacy.
In addition to scanning, the proposal would introduce mandatory age verification, which could remove anonymity on messaging platforms. Critics argue the plan amounts to real-time surveillance of private conversations and threatens fundamental freedoms.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently warned of societal collapse in France due to censorship and regulatory pressure. He disclosed attempts by French officials to censor political content on his platform, which he refused to comply with.
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