The European Parliament Extends 'Chat Control' Until 2028

The European Parliament has paved the way for the extension of Chat Control until 2028. This regime allows platforms to voluntarily scan certain private communications to detect child sexual abuse content. However, the text reignites a central battle in Europe: protecting children without undermining encryption and privacy.

In Brief

• Chat Control is extended until 2028 at the parliamentary level.
• The mechanism concerns the voluntary scanning of certain communications.
• The debate on encryption and privacy remains unresolved.

Chat Control Returns Despite Strong Opposition

Chat Control has taken a new step in the European Parliament. The text had already been narrowly rejected in March, then relaunched through a highly contested political procedure. This new vote prolongs the debate surrounding message control.

The result is paradoxical. A majority of MEPs voted against the extension, with 314 votes to stop it against 276 to maintain it. However, an absolute majority of 361 votes was needed to block the text. Thus, opponents won politically but lost legally. This mechanism fuels criticism. Several defenders of digital freedoms denounce an institutional maneuver that allows for the maintenance of an already contested mechanism, without true parliamentary consensus.

Chat Control 1.0 relies on a temporary exemption from the ePrivacy regulation. It allows certain digital service providers to detect, report, and remove illegal content related to the exploitation of minors.

The crucial point lies in the voluntary nature of the mechanism. Platforms are not required to scan all conversations. They can do so within a specific legal framework, using automated tools and internal procedures.

The version adopted by Parliament also excludes end-to-end encrypted services. WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram are therefore not targeted as in the scenarios most feared by encryption advocates. This nuance is not enough to quell the controversy. For critics, even voluntary scanning can establish a culture of private surveillance. It can also lead to errors, false positives, and political pressure to gradually expand the scope.

Chat Control Divides Security and Privacy

Supporters of Chat Control defend a logic of continuity. They believe that a legal vacuum would weaken the fight against online child sexual abuse content. According to them, major platforms must retain legal detection tools.

Opponents respond that the end does not justify all means. Automated surveillance of private communications directly impacts the right to privacy. It can become dangerous if extended to other content or purposes. The debate aligns with concerns already expressed in the digital ecosystem.

Web3 is sometimes presented as a possible answer, as it puts data control back in the hands of users. But this response remains partial. Authorities want effective investigative tools. Citizens want secure communications. Between the two, Europe is still searching for a clear line.

The Parliament's vote does not close the file. Member states still have a decisive role. They can accept amendments, contest them, or restart negotiations on the text. The timeline is sensitive. Chat Control 1.0 was supposed to remain transitional while preparing a more comprehensive permanent law. However, the final regulation on detecting online abuse has been stalled since 2022.

Chat Control thus remains a major political test. It is not just about moderation or automated detection. It is about how far the European Union is willing to go in analyzing private communications. This is precisely why figures like Vitalik Buterin have already alerted to the risks for digital privacy.

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