A contentious European Union initiative referred to as “Chat Control” is experiencing a resurgence, with 19 out of 27 EU nations reportedly endorsing the initiative.
The proposal would require messaging services, such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, to inspect every message, image, and video shared by users beginning in October, regardless of whether end-to-end encryption is applied, well-known French tech commentator Korben noted on Monday.
Denmark revived the initiative on July 1, coinciding with the start of its EU Council presidency. France, which was previously against it, has now shifted to support, Korben mentioned, referencing Patrick Breyer, a former Member of the European Parliament for Germany and part of the European Pirate Party.
Countries such as Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain are also supportive, while Germany remains ambiguous. Still, if Berlin aligns with the majority, a qualified Council vote could facilitate the plan’s passage by mid-October, according to Korben.
A qualified majority in the EU Council is attained when two criteria are satisfied. Firstly, a minimum of 55 percent of member nations, equating to 15 out of 27, must vote in favor. Secondly, these nations must collectively represent at least 65% of the EU’s entire population.
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Pre-encryption scanning on devices
Rather than undermining encryption, the initiative aims to deploy client-side scanning, which means software embedded in users’ devices that examines content prior to encryption. “Similar to if the Post Office entered your living room to read all your letters before you sealed them in the envelope,” Korben remarked.
He further emphasized that the real focus isn’t on criminals, who typically utilize encrypted or decentralized methods, but on everyday users whose private discussions would become subject to algorithmic oversight.
The initiative references the combat against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as its rationale. However, it might lead to “mass surveillance through entirely automated real-time monitoring of messaging and chats, effectively ending the privacy of digital correspondence,” Breyer asserted.
In addition to scanning, the proposal entails compulsory age verification, which effectively strips anonymity from messaging platforms. Digital freedom advocates are urging citizens to reach out to their MEPs, sign petitions, and resist before the legislation becomes unalterable.
Related: Telegram founder Durov on arrest and detention in France
France faces societal downfall due to censorship
Last month, Telegram founder Pavel Durov cautioned that France is at risk of societal collapse if it persists with its trajectory of political censorship and regulatory overreach. Durov was detained in France in August 2024 for allegedly failing to adequately moderate his app to curtail criminal activities.
He also claimed that earlier this year, French intelligence agents approached him with demands to censor pro-conservative narratives in anticipation of the May 2025 Romanian elections, a request he asserts he declined.
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