EU Parliament paves the way for extension of chat control
The EU Parliament wants to extend the data protection exemption. However, the path to the vote is controversial. Services will now continue to be allowed to voluntarily check.
A new attempt for the controversial chat control in the EU: The European Parliament has cleared the way for an extension of the temporary exemption from European data protection rules. This means that online services such as Meta, Google, or Microsoft can continue to automatically scan private messages. The decision was made after a controversial parliamentary procedure, initiated by EU Council President Roberta Metsola, and is considered an important interim step.
With tricks to the desired result
The previous exemption expired at the beginning of April. It allowed providers of messenger services and platforms to automatically detect sent images and videos with known child abuse material and report suspected cases to the relevant authorities. This affects major providers such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft, among others.
An extension was actually considered to have failed. However, the European Parliament had rejected a corresponding proposal at the end of March because many MEPs demanded stricter data protection requirements. The proposal was again put to a vote at very short notice and was at the beginning of this week – after the Council's approval – in the so-called second reading of the EU legislative procedure. At this stage, different voting rules apply than before. The Parliament can only change or reject the Council's position with an absolute majority of all MEPs – currently 361 votes. It is therefore no longer sufficient if a majority of the MEPs present vote against it. The fact that the vote was scheduled at such short notice and so close to the summer break makes opponents of the proposal furious.
It is rumored behind closed doors that this is intentional. Supporters, on the other hand, consider it a necessity – in their view, the previous practice is necessary for combating child abuse material.
Why "Chat Control" is so controversial
Chat control faces strong criticism. It attacks fundamental principles of private communication protection. Data protection advocates fear that automated controls will make private, digital communication insecure.
Another sticking point concerns the technology. The systems are supposed to detect known child abuse material and report it to the authorities. However, false positives cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, this law could be extended to other content in the future.
Now, the Council of EU states and the Parliament still have to discuss and agree on some input from the MEPs. After that, the new rules can come into force.
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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