The European Union’s proposal to scan all private communications for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has re-emerged, with the EU Council set to vote on it on December 6, 2024.
The proposal, initially introduced in May 2022, has been heavily criticized by privacy advocates, who argue that it threatens encryption and privacy.
The plan originally called for mandatory scanning of all messages, including those on encrypted platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, using client-side scanning. This method would break encryption, a move that has faced resistance from privacy experts and tech companies.
In June 2024, the proposal was revised to target shared photos, videos, and URLs, with users required to consent to scanning before sending material. Despite this, privacy advocates have continued to push back, with some calling the new version a “rhetorical game.”
In September 2024, a leaked proposal suggested that companies could use AI to flag suspicious content but would still be legally required to scan all chats and report illegal material.
While the majority of EU countries are now backing the proposal, some nations, including Austria, Belgium, and Germany, remain opposed. It remains uncertain whether the proposal will pass after the upcoming vote, with some speculating that a crucial government may swing the vote in its favor.
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