European Union countries have agreed to extend a temporary message scanning regime that allows for the identification of social media users suspected of sharing materials related to sexualized violence against children. This was reported by Euronews.
The updated initiative is being promoted by Cyprus, which currently holds the EU Council presidency. This move is quite controversial, as in March the European Parliament voted against extending the temporary scheme.
In a note reviewed by journalists, the Cypriot presidency suggests that EU countries proceed to the first reading of the bill on June 29.
The original regulation aimed at preventing and combating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), known as Chat Control, was adopted by the European Commission in 2022 and is set to expire in April 2026. This measure was designed to temporarily relax certain EU rules regarding the privacy of electronic communications until long-term legislation for detecting digital crimes is enacted.
Members of the European Parliament have warned that a return to such a control mechanism would complicate negotiations for permanent regulation.
Amid renewed discussions on privacy, the activist group Fight Chat Control has urged users to file complaints with their representatives and the permanent missions of EU countries. They described the current situation as an attempt to reinstate Chat Control and promote mass surveillance of citizens.
"The proposal for Chat Control legalizes the scanning of all private digital communications, including encrypted messages and photos. This threatens the fundamental rights to privacy and digital security for all citizens of the European Union," the statement reads.
According to the group's website, the initiative is supported by 23 EU member states, with only four countries opposing it: the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Poland, and Italy.
Source: Fight Chat Control.It is worth noting that in June, the UK government announced plans to impose restrictions on social media use for citizens under the age of 16.