chat control

Leaked EU documents, published before a key trilogue round, indicate member states are seeking to legalise indiscriminate mass scanning of private messages through administrative decisions rather than primary legislation. Critics say the workaround would impose blanket surveillance of private communications without a court order, reviving the controversial 'chat control' proposal by indirect means, while supporters argue it targets child sexual abuse material.

Leaked EU documents indicate member states are seeking to permit comprehensive scanning of private messages through administrative orders, rather than direct legislation. The revelations come ahead of crucial trilogue negotiations on the EU's chat control proposal, and critics say the plan would legalise mass surveillance of private communications by the back door.

Leaked internal documents from the Council of Ministers show EU member states are pursuing a new tactic to enforce comprehensive surveillance of private communications, reviving the controversial chat control debate. Critics say the plan would legalise mass scans of citizens' messages indirectly, bypassing earlier opposition to blanket monitoring of encrypted communications.

The sixth and final round of trialogue negotiations on the EU's Chat Control 2.0 proposal begins, with the EU Council reportedly trying to break Parliament's deadlock by proposing what critics call a "dirty deal". The compromise is said to involve promises about end-to-end encrypted communications, but opponents argue it leaves the door open to scanning private messages. Privacy advocates are urging EU citizens to make their voices heard before lawmakers decide.

EU negotiators resume talks on the Chat Control 2.0 regulation, with the latest proposal introducing 'search plans' that would allow scanning of entire segments of communications services without warrants tied to specific suspects. Critics argue the plan amounts to mass surveillance despite being labelled 'targeted', and privacy advocates are warning against its adoption ahead of the negotiations.

The European Commission is making another attempt to push through Chat Control 2.0, a proposal that would require scanning of private messages, widely criticised as mass surveillance. Critics, including MEP Patrick Breyer, are urging citizens to inform themselves about the latest amendments and contact Members of the European Parliament, hoping the Parliament holds its previous position against the plan.

Opponents of the EU's chat control proposal are pressing the European Commission to abandon the plan, calling it 'insane and illegal' and comparing it unfavourably to surveillance in China. A Dutch security expert has warned of a possible 'dirty deal' to push through the introduction of chat scanning, fuelling privacy concerns across Europe.