Three EU Member States Oppose Upcoming "Chat Control" Vote Amidst Widespread Privacy Concerns

Brussels, Belgium – The European Union is set to vote on its controversial "Chat Control" proposal, formally known as the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse (CSAR), on October 14, 2025. This legislation aims to mandate the scanning of all digital communications, including those sent through encrypted messaging applications, a move intended to detect and combat child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As the vote approaches, only three member states, Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland, have publicly declared their intention to vote against the measure, as stated by Visegrád 24 on social media.

The "Chat Control" proposal, introduced by European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in May 2022, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for digital platforms to detect and report CSAM. Proponents argue that such measures are crucial tools for law enforcement to protect children online. Countries like France, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain have voiced support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for robust mechanisms to tackle child exploitation.

However, the proposal has drawn significant criticism from privacy advocates, tech companies, and some member states, who warn of its far-reaching implications for digital rights. Critics argue that mandating the scanning of private messages, even before encryption, could lead to mass surveillance, undermine end-to-end encryption, and create severe security risks. Concerns also include the potential for false positives and the erosion of fundamental privacy rights for all EU citizens.

The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE) notably voted in November 2023 to remove indiscriminate chat control, advocating instead for targeted surveillance based on judicial warrants. Despite these concerns, the Danish presidency of the EU Council has prioritized the CSAR, pushing for its adoption.

The debate highlights a fundamental tension between child protection and digital privacy. While the objective of combating child sexual abuse is universally supported, the methods proposed by the "Chat Control" regulation continue to raise alarms about the future of secure and private communication within the European Union. The outcome of the October 2025 vote will significantly shape the landscape of digital privacy across the bloc.