MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Further work on ‘chat control’ (CSAM) – E-002183/2024

Question for written answer  E-002183/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Piotr Müller (ECR)

In light of information about the suspension of work due for completion in June 2024 on the child sexual abuse material regulation (CSAM), commonly referred to as ‘chat control’, I would like to ask the following questions:

• 1.What further plans does the Commission have for the CSAM regulation, particularly in view of the fears expressed by many legal experts and organisations dealing with privacy protection, who stress the need to protect encrypted communication?
• 2.Is it considering amendments to the draft to address widely expressed concerns about breaches to the confidentiality of private communications, particularly with end-to-end encrypted applications like Signal and WhatsApp and if so, what are these proposed amendments?
• 3.Is there a timeline for a possible resumption of work on the regulation and deadlines for the implementation of the new proposals in 2024 or the coming years and if so, please give details.

I would point out that encrypted communication is a key element in protecting users’ privacy and should not be breached on the pretext of tackling illegal content. I expect the Commission to set out a clear position that will assuage fears of a massive violation of citizens’ privacy.

Submitted: 20.10.2024