Its detractors called it “Chat Control”: the European Union will abandon the most criticized measure of a text against child pornography, a technology that would have allowed scanning private conversations.
A protester holds a sign that reads “Protected predator, sacrificed children” during a demonstration in support of the victims of former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec, in front of the Vannes court, in western France, on May 19, 2025. (Photo: Damien MEYER / AFP)
Brussels – Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, has decided to remove from the proposed law against child pornography the obligation for platforms to detect and report child pornography content, in the hope that it will finally be adopted, a diplomatic source indicated on Thursday.
The European Commission presented a text in 2022 aimed at combating the proliferation of images and videos of sexual abuse of children.
The text was strongly criticized by MEPs and some countries, including Germany, which saw it as a “disproportionate” infringement on privacy.
These actors were concerned about the use of technology to scan users’ private conversations, including on encrypted messaging services like Signal or WhatsApp.
The file has led to particularly “difficult” discussions among the 27 member countries “on privacy and cybersecurity,” a European diplomatic source stated. (October 30, 2025)
