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PoliticsEU Council approves controversial CSAM-scanning law, excluding encrypted chats
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On July 23, 2026, the Council of the European Union approved the Parliament's text for a controversial law aimed at scanning for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), notably excluding end-to-end encrypted chats from the scanning requirements. The decision marks a significant step in the legislative process, balancing child protection concerns with privacy and encryption rights. The law had previously sparked debate over potential surveillance implications, but the exclusion of encrypted communications addresses key privacy objections. The Council's nod paves the way for final adoption, though implementation details remain to be finalized.
Source report
The Council has approved the reintroduction of a controversial law requiring the scanning of digital communications for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), reigniting debate over privacy and security in the European Union.
The decision marks a significant step in the EU's ongoing efforts to combat online child exploitation, though critics argue the measure raises serious concerns about mass surveillance and encryption.
For further details, please refer to the original article on Euractiv.
Source
EuractivWestern
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EU Parliament Fast-Tracks CSAM Law, Excludes Encrypted Chats from Scanning