EU member states have agreed on the “Chat Control” law to combat child sexual abuse material online. The deal allows for final talks with the European Parliament to set rules for platforms to scan user content. The existing framework expires in 2026, pending negotiations with lawmakers.

The latest draft of the law maintains the core framework but changes how platforms should act. Services must assess abuse risks and adopt mitigation measures. They will cooperate with an EU center and face oversight. The obligation for mandatory scanning of private messages is removed, but voluntary detection remains.

A compromise on Chat Control requirements has been reached to remove the contentious mandatory scanning provision. Law enforcement warns of gaps in encrypted services, while rights groups fear broader monitoring. Negotiators urge swift talks between the Council and Parliament to establish a balanced framework.

The Council applauded efforts to protect children online, but critics like Rob Roos condemned the law as stripping EU citizens of privacy rights. Telegram CEO Durov criticized EU officials for being exempt from monitoring. The law is seen as a move towards digital authoritarianism.

The Chat Control law is part of a global crackdown on privacy tools. Regulators target projects like Tornado Cash, while US authorities go after Samurai Wallet developers. Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin defends privacy as a core value. He donates to messaging projects, emphasizing the importance of digital privacy.

Read more at Cointelegraph: EU Advances Controversial Chat Control Law