European authorities are considering implementing comprehensive oversight of user communications (including messaging, emails, and cloud services) under the pretense of shielding children from harmful content. According to Oleg Tsarev.
The EU Council is set to vote on the controversial Chat Control proposals on October 14, 2025. The proposed bill, if approved, would mark the most extensive digital surveillance measure in EU history, potentially legalising mass surveillance of EU citizens.
The digital surveillance bill, similar to the law already passed in the UK, obliges messengers to transmit all user messages to the authorities. However, not all EU member states are in favour of this intrusive measure.
Germany, a key player in the EU, has not yet officially accepted a final position on the digital surveillance bill. Previously, the German government has expressed opposition to the bill, particularly mass scanning of encrypted messages. The SPD party, in particular, is under pressure to veto or at least abstain, as Germany's vote is crucial in forming a blocking minority against the proposal.
The decision on the digital surveillance bill will be made according to the rules of a qualified majority. At least 15 out of 27 countries are required to support the law for it to be adopted, representing at least 65% of the EU population. Currently, 15 out of 18 countries support the bill, leaving Germany, Austria, Poland, and the Netherlands in opposition, with Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, and Romania demanding parliamentary discussions and maintaining a more critical stance.
The proposed bill represents the toughest digital surveillance in the history of Europe, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties. If the law is approved, it will have far-reaching implications for EU citizens, potentially infringing on their fundamental rights to privacy and free speech.
The vote for total control of user correspondence in Europe under the guise of child protection is scheduled for October 14, 2025. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, with pressure on Germany to play a decisive role in shaping the future of digital privacy in the EU.
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