The European Parliament has decided to extend the Chat Control 1.0 law, which allows the inspection of users’ digital communications. This measure, which has been in place since 2021 and was set to expire in April 2026, will remain in force until 2028. The decision sparked significant debate and controversy among MEPs, as well as among the public and experts in digital rights.

### Expansion of content control powers

The Chat Control 1.0 law gives large tech companies such as Meta and Google, as well as other digital communications service providers, the option to voluntarily scan messages, emails, photos and other files for illegal content. The main goal of this initiative is to combat the online sexual exploitation of minors. It is important to note that platforms using end-to-end encryption, such as Signal and WhatsApp, are currently not covered by this law.

The vote in the European Parliament was quite tense: 314 MEPs opposed extending the law, while 276 voted in favour. An absolute majority of 361 votes was required to repeal it, so the decision to extend it was adopted.

### The path to “Chat Control 2.0”

Supporters of Chat Control 1.0 see it as a step toward introducing even stricter legislation, informally known as Chat Control 2.0. This future initiative would require all platforms, including those using end-to-end encryption, to check users’ messages compulsorily. This prospect raises serious concerns among human rights advocates and users who question the legality of such total surveillance.

Critics, many of whom view Chat Control as an expansion of the powers for unauthorised mass surveillance, primarily by American tech corporations, argue that the law is not an effective tool for protecting children. They stress that such measures could violate fundamental privacy rights, create an excessive burden on regulators, and lead to false conclusions due to the use of artificial intelligence in the monitoring process.

At the end of last year, the encrypted email provider Tuta argued that Chat Control 1.0 could render end-to-end encryption meaningless. This position found support in some countries. In particular, Germany voiced opposition to the new potential law, and Denmark, which holds the presidency of the EU Council, also took the opposite stance. Nevertheless, debates in the European Parliament about the control of digital communications remain heated.

### Debates about effectiveness and consequences

Supporters of the law argue that automated scanning systems have already helped save thousands of children. However, according to opponents such as Member of the European Parliament Patrick Breyer, more effective methods are targeted investigations based on warrants and information from law enforcement agencies.

Concerns about Chat Control stem from the fact that it grants significant power to corporations over the privacy of European citizens. There is also a risk that false positives from AI-based monitoring systems could lead to wrongful accusations.

Similar legislative initiatives have already faced difficulties in other countries. For example, in the United Kingdom, an attempt to pass a similar law aimed at integrating backdoors into Apple’s iCloud encryption failed. In this situation, Signal accused the authorities of trying to use child safety as cover for mass surveillance of users.

The debate over the balance between online safety and the right to privacy continues, and the European Parliament’s decision on Chat Control 1.0 is another stage in this complex struggle. The future of Chat Control 2.0 and its potential impact on digital freedom remain under close scrutiny.