“SpyPhone” for Europe: EU’s “Chat Control 2.0” plans secret vote to scan all private messages

• The EU is poised to advance a controversial mass surveillance proposal, dubbed “Chat Control 2.0.”
• A key committee could approve the plan in a non-public meeting, bypassing open debate.
• The law would enable the scanning of private messages and emails under the guise of combating child exploitation.
• Critics warn the measure would effectively end digital privacy and secure encryption in Europe.
• The move is seen as part of a broader trend of increasing state surveillance that threatens fundamental liberties.

In a move that has alarmed privacy advocates and free speech defenders, the European Union is quietly advancing one of the most sweeping digital surveillance proposals in its history. Dubbed “Chat Control 2.0,” the draft law, championed by the European Commission, would empower authorities to compel service providers like WhatsApp and Signal to scan the private messages and emails of citizens. The plan, which could be endorsed as early as November 26 by a committee of national ambassadors meeting behind closed doors, represents a fundamental shift in the balance between state security and individual privacy, threatening to dismantle the very concept of confidential communication for hundreds of millions of people.

A stealthy advance toward adoption

The legislative journey of Chat Control 2.0 is raising significant democratic concerns. The proposal is on the agenda of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), a powerful but opaque body of EU national ambassadors that prepares legislation for the European Council. According to observers like MEP Martin Sonneborn, this committee could endorse the European Commission’s surveillance project in secret, without the open, plenary debate expected for a measure of such consequence. The tactic suggests a deliberate effort to avoid public scrutiny, having already been mysteriously pulled from a previous week’s schedule before reappearing. This method of governance—where monumental decisions are made in administrative meetings “without discussion”—stands in stark contrast to the public ideals of transparent democracy.

The architecture of mass surveillance

Branded officially as a child protection measure, the proposal’s technical mechanisms reveal a system of mass surveillance. While officials claim the latest version removes “mandatory” scanning, the framework allows governments to order messaging services to automatically search for what they deem “suspicious” content, effectively scanning messages before they are sent and potentially forwarding them to police. Critics argue this is a distinction without a difference, creating a legal infrastructure for state-mandated spying. The European Commission, which has itself faced criticism for a lack of transparency, including refusing to release President Ursula von der Leyen’s own text messages, now seeks the authority to peer into the private correspondence of every citizen.

A historical pattern of eroding liberties

This initiative does not exist in a vacuum. It fits into a broader and historically familiar pattern where governments incrementally erode civil liberties, often justifying each step by invoking a crisis. From the expansion of state powers following national security threats to the modern erosion of digital rights, the playbook is consistent: propose a vast new authority to address a genuine problem, but apply it universally rather than with targeted precision. The justification of protecting children from exploitation provides a powerful, emotionally charged shield against criticism. However, privacy advocates contend that dismantling end-to-end encryption to catch predators is akin to tearing down every house to stop a burglar—it solves one problem by creating a far greater one, sacrificing the privacy of the entire population.

The chilling effect on speech and security

The consequences of implementing Chat Control 2.0 extend far beyond privacy. The proposal threatens to outlaw anonymous communication, requiring users to present identification, a move that would severely impact journalists protecting sources, whistleblowers exposing corruption and citizens seeking to communicate freely without fear of reprisal. Furthermore, the technological mandate to scan messages fundamentally breaks end-to-end encryption, a security standard that protects online banking, business communications and personal data from criminals. By creating vulnerabilities, the law would make every user less secure. The economic impact could also consolidate power, as smaller service providers may lack the resources to comply, potentially withdrawing from the EU market and leaving a handful of large corporations in control of digital communication.

A critical juncture for digital freedom

As the EU stands at this critical juncture, the debate over Chat Control 2.0 is about more than a single piece of legislation; it is a defining battle for the future of individual freedom in the digital age. The move to enact such far-reaching surveillance through administrative channels, shielded from robust public debate, sets a dangerous precedent for lawmaking. If adopted, the principle of private communication—a cornerstone of a free society—would be fundamentally altered, placing the state in the unprecedented role of a permanent observer in the digital lives of its citizens. The outcome will determine whether Europe preserves its commitment to fundamental rights or normalizes a level of intrusion that future generations may find difficult to reverse.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

EuroNews.com

EFF.org