EU Parliament Backs Amended Chat Control 1.0 Position

The European Parliament has adopted an amended position on the extension of the temporary ePrivacy derogation commonly called “Chat Control 1.0.” The measure permits certain providers of interpersonal communications services to use voluntary technologies to detect, report and remove online child sexual abuse material and grooming. The reported extension would apply until 3 April 2028, while negotiations continue on the proposed permanent framework, often referred to as “Chat Control 2.0.”

The reported parliamentary procedure illustrates the significance of voting thresholds in the second-reading process. Although a simple majority reportedly supported rejecting the Council position, the required absolute majority of Parliament’s component Members was not reached. The amended Parliament position was therefore forwarded to the Council, which reportedly has three months to decide whether to approve it.

A notable amendment reportedly excludes communications “to which end-to-end encryption is, has been, or will be applied” from the instrument’s scope. This wording is intended to protect encrypted private communications, but its operational effect will depend on the final legislative text, its definitions, and the Council’s response. It also highlights the unresolved technical and legal conflict between broad detection obligations and the security guarantees of end-to-end encryption.

The debate remains legally sensitive. Supporters focus on continuity in child-protection tools after the expiry of the previous temporary regime. Critics argue that scanning private communications, particularly where it affects encrypted services, raises serious issues under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the ePrivacy framework, and the GDPR principles of necessity and proportionality. The Council’s next step will determine whether the reported Parliament amendments form part of the final extension or whether further negotiations are required.