In 2022, the European Commission introduced a legislative proposal aimed at tackling the proliferation of child abuse images online. A key aspect of this proposal is the requirement for online platforms and messaging services to implement technologies that can scan users’ private messages for such images, even within encrypted services like Signal or WhatsApp, which has sparked significant debate.
There is considerable opposition from the European Parliament, with several member states, including Germany, expressing concern over what they view as a “disproportionate” violation of privacy rights.
Belgium has yet to take a definitive stance on the proposed ‘chat control’, but recent debates in the Chamber indicate a lack of support from any political party.
After extensive discussions, Denmark, which currently holds the EU Council presidency, has opted to exclude the contentious measure from the proposal, aiming to secure a compromise. Consequently, the screening for child abuse images will remain voluntary, as reported by Euractiv. Denmark has prioritized the protection of minors online during its presidency.
Additionally, there is urgency to finalize new legislation, as a transitional arrangement allowing internet platforms to voluntarily monitor for child sexual abuse material is set to expire in April of next year.
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