A controversial European Union proposal dubbed “Chat Management” is regaining momentum, with 19 out of 27 EU member states reportedly backing the measure.
The plan would mandate messaging platforms, together with WhatsApp, Sign and Telegram, to scan each message, photograph and video despatched by customers beginning in October, even when end-to-end encryption is in place, fashionable French tech blogger Korben wrote on Monday.
Denmark reintroduced the proposal on July 1, the primary day of its EU Council presidency. France, as soon as opposed, is now in favor, Korben mentioned, citing Patrick Breyer, a former Member of the European Parliament for Germany and the European Pirate Celebration.
Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy and Spain are additionally in favor, whereas Germany stays undecided. Nevertheless, if Berlin joins the bulk, a professional Council vote might push the plan by way of by mid-October, Korben claimed.
A professional majority within the EU Council is achieved when two situations are met. First, a minimum of 55 p.c of member states, that means 15 out of 27, should vote in favor. Second, these nations should characterize a minimum of 65% of the EU’s whole inhabitants.
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Pre-encryption scanning on units
As a substitute of weakening encryption, the plan seeks to implement client-side scanning, that means software program embedded in customers’ units that inspects content material earlier than it’s encrypted. “A bit like if the Publish Workplace got here to learn all of your letters in your front room earlier than you place them within the envelope,” Korben mentioned.
He added that the actual goal isn’t criminals, who use encrypted or decentralized channels, however atypical customers whose personal conversations would now be open to algorithmic scrutiny.
The proposal cites the prevention of kid sexual abuse materials (CSAM) as its justification. Nevertheless, it could lead to “mass surveillance via totally automated real-time surveillance of messaging and chats and the tip of privateness of digital correspondence,” Breyer wrote.
Past scanning, the package deal consists of obligatory age verification, successfully eradicating anonymity from messaging platforms. Digital freedom teams are asking residents to contact their MEPs, signal petitions and push again earlier than the regulation turns into irreversible.
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France faces societal collapse over censorship
Final month, Telegram founder Pavel Durov warned that France dangers societal collapse if it continues down a path of political censorship and regulatory overreach. Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 after being accused of failing to average his app to cut back criminality.
He additionally alleged that French intelligence officers approached him earlier this 12 months with requests to censor pro-conservative content material forward of the Could 2025 Romanian election, a request he says he refused.
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