EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Postpones Vote Amid Opposition
A European initiative aimed at strengthening online child safety through communication scanning has been halted following German objections, leading to the cancellation of a planned vote on the proposal within the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council.
The proposal, known as “Chat Control,” sought to impose a requirement for online service providers to scan user communications and files for child sexual abuse material. Criticism has been directed at this initiative since its introduction by the European Commission in 2022 due to concerns regarding privacy and surveillance risks.
The Danish presidency prioritized this legislation, viewing it as critical for online safety. However, previous versions of the measure put forth by Hungary and Belgium failed to gain necessary support among EU member states.
A spokesperson for the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council confirmed that the proposal was no longer on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of Justice and Home Affairs ministers in Luxembourg. This cancellation appears to stem primarily from opposition voiced by Germany, which is a significant player in EU discussions.
Organizations advocating for privacy rights, including messaging service providers like Signal and Threema, have warned that the proposal could lead to unwarranted surveillance and pose additional hacking vulnerabilities. “Privacy is a human right,” stated a representative from Threema, asserting that the current form of Chat Control undermines fundamental EU-recognized rights.
Had Germany endorsed the proposal, it could have advanced to final trilogue negotiations involving the Council, Parliament, and the Commission. Opposition also came from countries like the Netherlands and Poland, while France and Ireland have expressed support for the measure.
Looking ahead, an EU Home Affairs spokesperson indicated that the Danish presidency intends to reintroduce the proposal later this year. In a coordinated effort, ministers from 27 EU nations recently signed a declaration asserting the need for effective legislation to ensure online safety for children.
“We must act as ‘digital bouncers’ to ensure the internet remains a safe environment for minors, preventing access when necessary,” asserted Caroline Stage, Denmark’s Minister for Digital Affairs. As the debate continues, the challenges of balancing child protection, privacy, and digital rights remain at the forefront of EU policy discussions.
