Experts have criticized the European Union’s new Chat Control proposal, arguing that it could undermine encryption standards. Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Foundation, labeled the proposal as ineffective, stating that it tries to balance end-to-end encryption with surveillance, which is fundamentally impossible. She described the proposal as an attempt to introduce surveillance mechanisms under the guise of preventing child sexual abuse while actually creating vulnerabilities in encryption.
The EU’s proposal aims to monitor encrypted communications to detect and prevent child sexual abuse material. It suggests that users consent to scanning mechanisms when uploading visual content, while still maintaining encryption during transmission. Critics, however, argue that this approach will compromise the integrity of end-to-end encryption, creating security risks that could be exploited.
The Chaos Computer Club and European Parliament member Patrick Dreyer also oppose the proposal, highlighting the risk of mass surveillance disguised as preventive measures. They contend that mandatory scanning and consent requirements could severely restrict communication services and privacy. Dreyer has called for immediate action against the proposal, warning that it could advance quickly due to reduced public scrutiny during the post-election period.
Opposition remains among several EU member states, with countries like Germany and the Netherlands resisting the proposal. The proposal could be adopted by EU governments soon, and critics urge citizens to press their governments to reject the measures to protect privacy and encryption standards.
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