New EU Chat Control Proposal Moves Forward

Summary

Key Takeaways: The EU has introduced a new Chat Control proposal: Mandatory scanning is gone, but Article 4’s ‘risk mitigation’ clause could still push services toward scanning private and encrypted messages. Anonymity could be severely limited: Age-verification rules would make anonymous accounts difficult, affecting journalists, whistleblowers, and users who rely on privacy for safety. The scope of scanning is expanding: The proposal allows detection of chat text and metadata, raising concerns about large-scale monitoring across the EU’s 450M citizens. The technology behind it still isn’t viable: Experts say safe CSAM detection in encrypted apps doesn’t exist yet, even Apple abandoned its own client-side scanning system after backlash. The Chat Control proposal is back in Brussels. Again. Lawmakers are treating it like a familiar guest who keeps showing up at the door wearing a slightly different jacket. Privacy experts say the jacket is hiding something sharp. A revised version of the EU’s Child Sexual Abuse Regulation (CSAR) has now moved from the Law Enforcement Working Party to the Coreper (Committee of Permanent Representatives). Coreper is the group of permanent representatives from all EU member states, if Coreper likes the text, the Council will adopt its position. After that, the proposal jumps straight into a fast trilogue. On paper, the new version looks softer. Mandatory scanning of private chats, photos, and URLs was removed. Scanning is now voluntary. Lawmakers seem happy. They might even feel relieved. Privacy experts, however, are staring at one line in Article 4 like it’s a hidden knife taped under the table. Let’s break down what actually changed, what didn’t, and why critics say this version may be even worse than the old one. The ‘Voluntary’ Scanning That Doesn’t Feel Very Voluntary The Denmark Presidency produced the new compromise after negotiations stalled for over three years. When the Law Enforcement Working Party met on November 12, the g...