TLDR EU Parliament approved the extension of “chat control,” allowing message scanning measures to continue until 2028. Lawmakers failed to reach the required votes to block the proposal, ena
The European Parliament has approved a controversial extension of “chat control,” allowing platforms to scan private messages for illegal content until 2028. Lawmakers failed to secure enough votes to block the measure, despite strong opposition from privacy advocates. The decision revives a temporary legal framework and keeps chat control in place while negotiations on a permanent law continue.
The European Parliament held a decisive vote on extending chat control after using an urgent legislative procedure earlier this week. A total of 314 lawmakers voted to reject the measure, falling short of the 361 required threshold. Meanwhile, 276 lawmakers supported the continuation of chat control, allowing the framework to proceed.
The outcome effectively revives provisions that had expired in April, restoring a legal basis for voluntary message scanning. Lawmakers had previously rejected a temporary extension in March due to concerns over scope and privacy. However, political pressure led to renewed efforts to maintain chat control through the urgent vote.
The European People’s Party played a central role in reviving the proposal after earlier opposition. Its leadership sought a revised path that avoided restrictive amendments that had blocked progress before. As a result, the vote allowed chat control to move forward under adjusted conditions.
Parliament approved an amendment that excludes end-to-end encrypted communications from the scanning requirement. This exemption ensures that platforms cannot apply chat control to messages protected by strong encryption. The change reflects ongoing concerns about preserving secure communication standards within the European Union.
Pirate Party lawmaker Markéta Gregorová supported the amendment and described the outcome as mixed. She stated, “Protecting encryption was one of our priorities, and I am therefore glad that we managed to secure an absolute majority.” However, she also noted that “voluntary mass scanning unfortunately passed” under chat control.
Supporters of the broader law argued that scanning measures remain necessary to combat harmful material online. They emphasized the need for tools that help identify and prevent the spread of child abuse content. As a result, chat control continues to balance enforcement goals with limited protections for encrypted communication.
The approved framework will now return to the Council of the European Union for further consideration. Ministers from member states will review the amended provisions and decide whether to adopt them. Their decision will determine how chat control operates across the bloc in the near term.
Negotiations on a permanent version, known as “Chat Control 2.0,” will resume in September. Lawmakers remain divided on whether scanning should be targeted or broadly applied across platforms. This debate will shape the long-term structure of chat control within European digital policy.
Former lawmaker Patrick Breyer indicated that political resistance remains strong despite the current outcome. He said the recent vote showed limited support for widespread scanning measures in future proposals. As discussions continue, chat control remains a central issue in the European Union’s approach to digital regulation.
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