EU Lawmakers’ Bid to Scour Citizens’ Private Messages Foiled… for Now
A secretive proposal to scan millions of Europeans’ private messages to detect child pornography has hit a roadblock, but the sinister plot won’t die easily. The European Council’s attempt to push through a plan to force messaging apps to scan all users’ uploads for alleged child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has been delayed, but the Big Brother-style surveillance regime won’t go away quietly.
Industry Giants, Experts, and Civil Groups Unite Against Mass Surveillance
Critics of the proposal, including WhatsApp, Signal, and Proton, warn that it will destroy encryption, posing an existential threat to Europe’s democratic freedoms and privacy. A majority of lawmakers from across the political spectrum in the European Parliament share these concerns. They argue that the plan will fail in its claimed aim of protecting children, with millions of false positives clogging law enforcement’s system.
Belgium’s Fumble: "We Can’t Reach a Qualified Majority… Yet"
Belgium’s permanent representative to the EU confirmed to TechCrunch that the Council meeting was postponed due to lack of a qualified majority. But the government will try again, and experts warn that "surveillance extremists" will return with a new plan.
Signal’s Warning: "Mass Scanning of Private Communications Fundamentally Undermines Encryption"
Signal’s president, Meredith Whittaker, cautioned that the EU’s plan is "a cynical rebrand" of mass surveillance, threatening the very foundation of online security. "Mandating mass scanning of private communications fundamentally undermines encryption. Full stop."
Proton’s Andy Yen: "Don’t Fall for the Spin… We Must Remain Vigilant"
Proton’s founder, Andy Yen, urged defenders of privacy to stay vigilant, warning that anti-encryption proposals have been defeated before only to resurface with a new face.
What’s Next? The Hungarian Presidency Promises More of the Same
The Hungarian government, which takes up the rotating Council presidency in July, is likely to continue the surveillance agenda. "As far as we are concerned, we continue to work and to see whether the Member States that were not happy or satisfied with the proposal will continue to discuss how we can fine-tune it to make it viable for everyone."
The Fight Continues
While the Council’s proposal has been delayed, the struggle to protect online privacy and security has only just begun. Will the European Union’s lawmakers ultimately succumb to the pressures of mass surveillance, or will they find a better way to protect children without sacrificing citizens’ fundamental rights? The answer will only become clear in the coming months.
