A New Citizen-Led Initiative to Have Your Say on the EU Child Sexual Abuse Scanning Bill
If you’re in the EU, you now have the opportunity to voice your concerns about the controversial child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill, thanks to a new citizen-led initiative. The proposal, known as Chat Control, aims to combat the spread of CSAM content online by scanning all communications, including encrypted ones.
Experts have raised significant worries about the potential negative impact of the bill on citizens’ communications privacy and security. Despite facing strong criticism and opposition, the Danish version of the bill could be adopted as early as October 14, 2025.
The Fight Chat Control initiative, launched on August 6, seeks to empower citizens by providing them with the necessary information to understand the implications of the legislation. The initiative encourages individuals to take action by contacting their elected representatives in the European Parliament and national governments.
The initiative’s website offers easily understandable information about the CSAM scanning proposal and tracks the positions of EU Member States and representatives. By visiting the Take Action tab, users can quickly reach out to their country’s MEPs and urge them to reject the controversial proposal.
The Fight Chat Control initiative emphasizes the importance of privacy as a fundamental right and highlights the essential role of end-to-end encryption in safeguarding personal communications and digital identities. The proposal, if passed, could potentially expose citizens to new security risks and surveillance without meaningful benefits.
What’s Next for Europeans’ Chats?
Since its introduction in 2022, the Chat Control proposal has faced numerous challenges and debates as various stakeholders raised concerns about its implications. The main point of contention revolves around encryption, a technology used by popular messaging platforms and secure communication services to protect the privacy of users’ conversations.
Despite efforts to find a compromise, including proposals to target only shared media with users’ consent, the Council has struggled to reach an agreement. Momentum is building among EU member states in support of the legislation, with several countries backing the bill.
As of the latest data from Fight Chat Control, 15 member states support the law, nine remain undecided, and only three oppose the bill in its current form. The Council is expected to share its final positions on September 12, with a vote scheduled for October 14.
For more information on how to get involved and make your voice heard on the EU child sexual abuse scanning bill, visit the official Fight Chat Control website Here.