European Parliament fast-tracks chat control vote amid irregularity claims

The European Parliament decided on Tuesday that it will decide on chat control shortly before the summer break. Critics suspect a coup.

Publication date: 2026-07-07 16:41

If chat control returns, online platforms can search private chats to detect content of child abuse. Photo: Yuri Arcurs/imago

By Eric Bonse

The dispute over chat control on WhatsApp, Instagram, and other online platforms has entered a new round, which critics consider irregular. The European Parliament voted on Tuesday in Strasbourg for an urgent motion that makes a new vote possible on Thursday. This could allow the controversial automated search for child pornography in private online chats to be permitted again – after the parliament stopped it in March.

Parliament President Roberta Metsola advocated for a new deliberation. She followed a request from the 27 EU states but did not have a corresponding mandate from the members of parliament. Only the conservative European People's Party, led by CSU politician Manfred Weber, of which Metsola is also a member, had spoken in favor of resuming. Critics speak of a coup by the parliament president against the parliament.

Protests ultimately had no consequences. Non-attached EU MP Martin Sonneborn pointed out "that pushing through chat control in an expedited procedure unfortunately violates the rules of procedure of the EU Parliament." Metsola turned off Sonneborn's microphone after one minute. MPs from the Pirates and the AfD fared little better. "I follow all the rules, I can assure you," said Metsola.

Vote shortly before the summer break

However, doubts remain. Special rules apply to the urgency procedure now initiated. To stop chat control, 360 MPs – a qualified majority – would have to vote against it in the decisive vote on Thursday. In the last hours before the parliamentary summer break, which begins on Friday, this hurdle is hardly surmountable; opponents fear a defeat.

If supporters prevail, online platforms can again search private chats without warning to detect images or videos of child sexual abuse. Chat control serves to protect children, supporters argue.

Critics see a breach of data protection and warn of abuse. Internet activist Patrick Breyer spoke of a "dark day for privacy and democracy."

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