The European Union’s proposed “Chat Control” regulation, presented under the auspices of combating child sexual abuse, again faced a significant setback as its anticipated vote in the European Council on September 12, 2025, was postponed indefinitely. The delay resulted from insufficient consensus among member states, particularly regarding provisions that critics argue would undermine end-to-end encryption and digital privacy.
The regulation aimed to mandate client-side scanning of private digital communications for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Yet privacy advocates and several EU countries raised alarms, arguing the measure could lead to mass surveillance and signal “the end of privacy of digital correspondence.” The postponement marks a significant setback for the law’s supporters and a victory for privacy defenders.
Estonia, previously listed among the ‘undecided’ nations, reportedly shifted its position towards opposing the current draft, contributing to the formation of a blocking minority within the Council. This development underscores the growing resistance that ultimately led to the vote’s delay.
The Danish Presidency of the Council, which had been advocating for the law’s adoption, expressed disappointment over the postponement but affirmed its commitment to finding a balanced solution. The future of the Chat Control law is now uncertain, with no new vote scheduled, signaling that major revisions will likely be required to address the broad concerns voiced by member states and civil society.
