Politics — Navigating Air Safety Regulations

EU rejects mandatory scans of private messages despite abuse concerns

Privacy wins over surveillance in Europe’s latest digital rights battle. But will voluntary checks by messengers be enough to combat abuse?

, and Administrator

2025 December 4 . 3:42 AM

1 min read

In the image there are few kids on the right side in white t-shirt and black caps, on the left side... — In the image there are few kids on the right side in white t-shirt and black caps, on the left side there is a man standing in maroon hoodie and jeans holding a book and talking on mic, in the back there is a cc camera on the wall.

Digital Minister Schutz Against Chat Control - EU rejects mandatory scans of private messages despite abuse concerns

The EU has decided against forcing messaging services to scan private messages for child sexual abuse material. Instead, the bloc will rely on voluntary checks by apps and platforms. Thuringia’s Digital Minister Steffen Schutz has spoken out strongly against mandatory chat surveillance.

EU member states reached an agreement to avoid mandatory scans of private messages. The decision means companies will not be legally required to monitor encrypted chats for illegal content. Authorities will review the situation in three years to decide if stricter rules are needed.

For now, the EU will not enforce mandatory message scans, leaving detection to voluntary efforts. A review in three years will determine whether stricter obligations are introduced. Schutz’s opposition highlights ongoing debates about balancing security and privacy in digital spaces.