The EU legislation known as “Chat Control” is once again at the centre of public debate in Europe, as the European Union approaches a decisive moment. The proposal introduces a new regulation that would require all communication platforms- from messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal to email providers and cloud storage services- to scan private messages, photos, and videos directly on a user’s device before they are even sent. Officially, the measure aims to combat and prevent online child sexual abuse. However, it has triggered a wave of backlash, with critics branding it a form of mass surveillance that threatens both privacy and freedom of communication.
Under the plan, EU Chat Control would also introduce mandatory age verification for all users, effectively curtailing online anonymity. Exemptions are foreseen only for specific categories of accounts, such as military and police. Opponents- including legal experts, technologists, human rights groups and privacy advocates- warn that the law would create “backdoors” in encryption, handing governments and intelligence services an unprecedented surveillance tool. Supporters counter that the priority must be protecting minors, arguing that the current system of voluntary reporting by platforms leaves dangerous gaps.
Politically, the proposal gained fresh momentum on 1 July 2025, when Denmark assumed the presidency of the EU Council. Copenhagen is pushing for a final vote on 14 October, with 19 of the 27 member states already voicing their support. Among them are France, Italy and Spain, while Germany’s stance remains pivotal, since approval requires a majority both of states and population. According to European Commission data, if fully implemented, the system would increase the number of reported cases by 354%. Yet the European Parliament, while backing the goal of child protection, has voiced strong reservations about the “mass and indiscriminate monitoring” of private communications. A crucial meeting in September is expected to show whether a compromise can be reached.
Public and organisational resistance across Europe and beyond remains fierce. Legal experts speak of violations of fundamental rights, while technology leaders and app developers warn of looming “cyber-chaos” if communication security is weakened. The debate has now moved far beyond the narrow scope of child protection and touches on the very future of privacy in the digital era.
As the decisive vote approaches, the EU faces the challenge of balancing two core values: safeguarding children and preserving citizens’ freedoms. The outcome of the battle over Chat Control will set a defining precedent for how Europe perceives the limits between security and privacy in the 21st century.
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