CSAM eprivacy derogation receives fierce backlash from activists

The European Parliament's recent adoption of extraordinary interim measures that allow platforms to voluntarily scan private messages for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has reignited fierce backlash from privacy activists and digital rights groups. Critics, who label the policy Chat Control 1.0, warn that the framework undermines digital rights and opens the door to widespread online surveillance.

Digital rights organisation European Digital Rights (EDRi) has accused the EU of effectively outsourcing law enforcement duties to private technology companies without proper safeguards, creating a mechanism that grants tech companies broad scope to monitor private emails, photos, and videos. Activists argue this approach violates core fundamental privacy principles and sets a dangerous precedent.

While the interim framework excludes end-to-end encrypted messaging services, privacy advocates view the decision as a deeply troubling step toward permanent legislation originally proposed in 2022. 

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