On July 7, 2026, the European Parliament authorized an expedited procedure for “chat control,” even though the measure had appeared politically dead following its rejection in March and had lapsed on April 3. This move was prompted by a Council position from July 2 that seeks to once again allow private online services to scan private messages for depictions of child sexual abuse. While protecting children remains a key objective, the proposed measure deeply intrudes upon confidential communication. It would affect millions of messenger users whose digital conversations fall under the protection of the secrecy of correspondence and telecommunications.
How chat control came back on the agenda
The regulation was not only controversial, but initially failed. In March, Parliament rejected an extension in this form. That’s why the exception expired at the beginning of April. However, the Council of the EU reintroduced the mechanism.
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A proposal is once again on the table that would allow platforms to scan private messages on online services. Officially, the focus is on voluntary measures by providers. In reality, however, this shifts the boundaries of private communication, as the initial step of the technical filtering process makes no distinction between suspects and law-abiding users.
The procedure favors the proponents
The political dispute is therefore not just about the content; it is also about the legislative process itself. During the second reading, Parliament requires an absolute majority of all Members to amend or halt the Council’s position. Consequently, absences effectively work to the advantage of those supporting the proposal.
In the vote on the expedited procedure, 331 Members voted in favor, 304 against, and eleven abstained. Additionally, 73 Members did not cast a vote. The result therefore does not reflect a clear majority in favor of the measure, but rather a narrow margin that is advantageous in terms of procedural dynamics.
Chat scanning touches upon a fundamental right
Chat scanning is therefore more than just a technical measure to combat serious crime; it strikes at the very heart of confidential communication. In the physical world, hardly anyone would accept having their letters opened and inspected as a precautionary measure. Yet, a similar principle is now set to become possible in the digital realm.
Child abuse is a serious crime. The state must prosecute perpetrators and protect victims. However, doing so requires targeted investigations, the rapid analysis of leads, and better-resourced authorities. Blanket screening of private communication is no substitute for such work.
A new state of emergency looms until 2028
EU member states intend to extend the transitional rule until April 2028. This would revive a provisional measure that had already expired. That is precisely where the political controversy lies: a rule considered defunct could be reactivated through deadlines, expedited procedures, and voting rules.
This deals a severe blow to confidence in EU processes. Democracy loses credibility when voting continues until the desired outcome appears within reach. While protecting children remains essential, it must not serve as a blank check for infringing upon fundamental rights.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Bild: (08.08.26) – t-online (07.07.26) – Berliner Zeitung (08.07.26) – Europäische Parlament (02.07.26) – European Council (02.07.26)