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 that messaging platforms, together with WhatsApp, Sign and Telegram, should scan each message, photograph and video despatched by customers beginning in October, even when end-to-end encryption is in place, in style 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 stated, citing Patrick Breyer, a former member of the European Parliament for Germany and the European Pirate Social gathering.
Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy and Spain are additionally in favor, whereas Germany stays undecided. Nevertheless, if Berlin joins the bulk, a certified council vote might push the plan by means of by mid-October, Korben stated.
A professional majority within the EU Council is achieved when two circumstances are met. First, no less than 55 % of member states, which means 15 out of 27, should vote in favor. Second, these nations should symbolize no less than 65% of the EU’s whole inhabitants.
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Pre-encryption scanning on gadgets
As an alternative of weakening encryption, the plan seeks to implement client-side scanning, which means software program embedded in customers’ gadgets that inspects content material earlier than it’s encrypted. “A bit like if the Put up Workplace got here to learn all of your letters in your lounge earlier than you place them within the envelope,” Korben stated.
He added that the actual goal isn’t criminals, who use encrypted or decentralized channels, however extraordinary 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 will lead to “mass surveillance by way of totally automated real-time surveillance of messaging and chats and the tip of privateness of digital correspondence,” Breyer wrote.
Past scanning, the bundle 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 reasonable his app to scale back criminality.
He additionally alleged that French intelligence officers approached him earlier this yr 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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