What is Chat Control and Why Experts Are Concerned?
Chat Control "brings high risks to society" say privacy experts, warning that the EU’s proposed legislation could threaten online privacy without providing clear benefits for children. The bill, which aims to monitor private messages for harmful content, has sparked intense debate, as academics and digital rights advocates question its potential for abuse and surveillance.
How Could Chat Control Affect Society?
Privacy experts argue that Chat Control could create backdoors in encrypted messaging, leaving millions vulnerable to cyberattacks and state overreach. Even with Denmark’s removal of the mandatory scanning clause, critics say the law could still introduce mandatory monitoring indirectly, raising alarms about mass surveillance and data security.
What Do Academics Say About Chat Control?
A group of 18 top European cybersecurity and privacy academics recently issued an open letter emphasizing the high societal risks of Chat Control. They argue that while the bill claims to protect children, it lacks clear evidence of benefits and could normalize invasive digital surveillance, threatening trust and online freedom.
When Could Chat Control Be Adopted?
The European Council is expected to review the revised Chat Control bill during its upcoming meetings, with potential adoption as early as December 8, 2025. Privacy advocates continue to push for stronger safeguards to prevent the law from undermining encryption and personal privacy across Europe.
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