EU reauthorises voluntary scanning of online messages for child abuse material

The European Union has reauthorised a temporary mechanism allowing online platforms and messaging services to voluntarily scan users’ private messages for material related to child sexual abuse.

Messages protected by end-to-end encryption are exempt from the measure, according to BFM.

The decision follows lengthy negotiations between the European Parliament and EU member states. The temporary mechanism, known as Chat Control, was reinstated after the previous agreement expired in April, leaving platforms in legal uncertainty for nearly four months.

Under the renewed rules, scanning remains voluntary, and the mechanism will be in effect until April 2028.

During that period, EU lawmakers are expected to work towards a permanent framework proposed by the European Commission in 2022. The proposal would introduce mandatory monitoring of online content and has faced criticism from human rights organisations, technology companies and several EU countries, including Germany, which argue that such measures could excessively infringe on privacy rights.

By Sabina Mammadli