European Parliament reinstates chat control rules in controversial vote

The EU Parliament passes voluntary chat control through a controversial procedure. MPs speak of an "illegal procedural trick."

Publication Date: July 9, 2026 — 5:48 PM

Reinstated: the transitional rules for chat control. Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

By Eric Bonse

It was one of the most controversial and chaotic votes shortly before the summer recess: On Thursday in Strasbourg, the European Parliament reinstated the transitional rules for chat control — even though a majority voted against it.

This again allows online providers, such as those of cloud, email, and messenger services, to automatically search unencrypted private messages and files of users for suspected child pornography content. The regulation is initially valid until April 2028.

Vote Details and Controversy

• 276 MPs voted in favor of the regulation, which had been placed on the agenda only on Tuesday under an expedited procedure.
• 286 voted against.
• Despite no majority for chat control — which had been suspended in March — it can come back into force because it formally involved a second reading. In such cases, an absolute majority of 361 votes is required to stop a law.

This "inverted" majority rule was not the only cause for frustration. There were also protests because Parliament President Roberta Metsola scheduled the vote without the usual mandate from the Parliament. The conservative Maltese politician secured backing from EU member states and the conservative EPP, but not from the other parliamentary groups.

Sharp Criticism from MPs

Metsola had "massively overstepped her role," criticized German Green politician Erik Marquardt. He spoke of a "black day for democracy, civil rights, and child protection."

Internet activist Patrick Breyer expressed similar views: "The fact that chat control is being implemented against the will of the majority of voting MPs is a farce and damages democracy."

Independent MP Martin Sonneborn called it an "illegal procedural trick." On a day when only just under 600 MPs were present due to the upcoming summer recess (starting Friday), it was impossible to achieve the qualified majority.

EPP Defends the Decision

The EPP, however, had no objections. "We must curb the 'epidemic' of child pornography," said EPP leader Manfred Weber on X.

Weber stated that AI-generated images of sexualized violence against children are flooding the internet. Within one year, the distribution of "Child Sexual Abuse Material" (CSAM) had increased by 1,000 percent. Since 60 percent of this material is hosted in Europe, the EU cannot remain inactive. "That's why we support the important legislation against CSAM," said the CSU politician.

Counterarguments

"Wanting to protect children with indiscriminate mass surveillance is like desperately mopping the floor while the tap keeps running," Breyer countered.

According to EU Commission figures, the now-replanned mass scans of private chats would have led to only 36 percent of suspicious reports in 2024. That is not effective child protection.

Legal Context and Next Steps

Normally, indiscriminate scanning of private communication is prohibited — it contradicts the e-Privacy Directive and EU data protection rules. However, since the EU institutions could not agree on alternative techniques for protecting children, internet platforms were granted an exemption to voluntarily check their customers' data.

This exemption will now come back into force. Before that, the EU Commission and member states must still give the green light. However, this is considered a formality. Germany has already signaled its approval.

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