A controversial European Union initiative, informally dubbed “Chat Control,” is once again gaining traction, with 19 out of the 27 EU nations reportedly backing the proposal.
If approved, the measure would compel messaging services like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram to begin scanning all user messages, images, and videos as early as October—even those protected by end-to-end encryption. The news was first reported by French tech commentator Korben on Monday.
Denmark revived the debate on July 1st, coinciding with the start of its presidency of the EU Council. According to Korben, France—once opposed to the idea—has now shifted its stance in support. This change was highlighted by Patrick Breyer, a digital rights advocate and former Member of the European Parliament from Germany’s Pirate Party.
Other nations supporting the proposal reportedly include Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain. Germany, however, remains undecided. Should Germany align with the majority, the EU Council could pass the legislation via a qualified majority vote as early as mid-October.
To pass such a vote, the support of at least 15 member countries representing 65% of the EU population is required.
Pre-Encryption Content Screening Raises Alarms
Rather than dismantling encryption itself, the proposed law calls for “client-side scanning”—technology that reviews user content directly on their devices before any encryption is applied. Korben likens it to a postal worker reading your letters at home before you even seal the envelope.
Critics argue that the real impact of the legislation would be felt by ordinary citizens, not criminals. Malicious actors often turn to decentralized or encrypted platforms that may bypass such monitoring systems, while everyday users would face intrusive automated scanning of their private conversations.
The official justification for the law is the fight against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), but Breyer warns it could usher in a new era of mass surveillance and erase the last remnants of privacy in digital communication.
Alongside scanning, the proposal includes mandatory age verification rules—raising further concerns about the loss of anonymity on chat platforms. Digital rights advocates are urging citizens to take action by contacting their representatives, signing petitions, and raising awareness before the plan becomes law.
Telegram’s Founder Warns of Censorship Crisis in France
In a related development, Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently issued a stark warning about France’s political trajectory. In July, he cautioned that ongoing censorship and overregulation could destabilize the country.
Durov, who was briefly detained in France in August 2024 over allegations related to content moderation, claimed that French intelligence operatives had previously asked him to suppress pro-conservative voices in the lead-up to the 2025 Romanian elections—an order he says he refused.
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