Overview
- Parliament voted on Thursday to reinstate the interim CSAM derogation, restoring permission for platforms to scan private, non‑end‑to‑end‑encrypted messages until 2028 or until a permanent law is adopted.
- Lawmakers adopted an explicit carve‑out for end‑to‑end encrypted services, so platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal remain legally exempt from the renewed scanning rules.
- A majority of MEPs who cast ballots opposed the reinstatement but failed to reach the absolute threshold of 361 votes needed to block the urgent procedural motion, allowing the measure to pass.
- Supporters said voluntary scanning by firms like Meta, Google and Microsoft helps identify victims, while critics highlighted high false‑positive rates, limited evidence it raises convictions, and the risk that corporate scanning undermines privacy and security.
- Formal talks on a permanent CSAM regulation are set to resume in September and member states have a short window to consider Parliament’s amendments, a process that will determine whether the interim approach is replaced or prolonged.