Chat Control
Chat Control is proposed EU legislation requiring messaging platforms to scan private communications for child sexual abuse material, sparking debate over privacy and encryption. Critics argue it undermines fundamental rights and end-to-end encryption. As of 2025, the proposal remains under negotiation.
Background
"Chat Control" is the unofficial name for proposed EU legislation that would require messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram) and email providers to scan all private communications — including encrypted messages — for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The proposal, formally the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, has been debated since 2022. It's highly controversial because it would effectively break end-to-end encryption: to scan messages on-device before they're sent, or to add a "client-side scanning" backdoor. Critics — including tech companies, privacy advocates, and some EU governments — argue this creates a general surveillance infrastructure that could be abused for other purposes and undermines digital security for everyone. Supporters say it's necessary to combat online child exploitation. The regulation remains under negotiation between the European Parliament, Council, and Commission as of 2024-2025.