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The European Union’s initiative to monitor private communications as a means of combating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is once again under scrutiny by regulators.
Often referred to by critics as “Chat Control,” the proposal has undergone numerous revisions since its initial introduction by the European Commission in May 2022. Recently, in October 2024, the proposal faced a setback when the Netherlands abstained from voting, leading the Hungarian Council Presidency to withdraw it from the agenda.
Now, two months later, this contentious proposal is slated for discussion at the EU Council meeting on December 4, 2024.
What is the EU CSAM Scan Bill?
In response to intensifying criticism from privacy advocates, technology experts, and political entities, lawmakers have made adjustments to the CSAM scan bill.
The original proposal mandated that messaging services and email providers scan all communications for illicit material, disregarding encryption protections present in platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.
Lawmakers initially considered implementing client-side scanning—a method that many experts argue could jeopardize encryption and user privacy. This tactic has been deemed untenable by some, including UK authorities, who have deferred a similar requirement under their Online Safety Act due to technical feasibility concerns.
By June 2024, the proposal had evolved to focus on user-shared photos, videos, and URLs rather than text and audio messages, provided users consented to the scanning process before encryption. This change sparked outrage among privacy advocates, with Meredith Whittaker, President of the Signal Foundation, characterizing the renewed proposal as merely a rebranding of existing surveillance practices.
Whittaker highlighted the dangers of such measures, stating, “the new EU chat controls proposal for mass scanning is the same old surveillance with new branding. Whether you call it a backdoor, a front door, or ‘upload moderation,’ it undermines encryption and creates significant vulnerabilities.”
In September, further developments came to light through a leak by Politico, revealing that communications providers would have discretion in utilizing artificial intelligence for flagging questionable content. Nevertheless, companies would be legally obligated to inspect all user communications and report any illicit findings.
According to recent data compiled by the European Pirate Party, a significant number of EU member states have indicated support for the revised proposal. Notably, France has reversed its earlier opposition and now stands in favor of the measure.
Currently, only a handful of EU nations remain undecided or opposed to the bill, including Italy, Portugal, and Finland. The situation could evolve following the discussions scheduled for December 4.
Source
www.techradar.com