Une mesure européenne temporaire protège les enfants tout en préservant la vie privée

The European Parliament has extended the temporary measure that allows online platforms to proactively detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material. According to MEP Assita Kanko, the measure remains essential as long as negotiations on a permanent European law continue.

To be clear, this is the extension of a temporary and limited measure pending agreement on a permanent legal framework. "This arrangement has enjoyed broad support since it was first introduced in 2021. Thanks to our amendment, an additional safeguard has now been included to further protect end-to-end encrypted personal communications, ensuring that mass surveillance measures such as 'Chat Control' are ruled out."

A temporary solution

The temporary measure is intended to bridge the gap until the European Union adopts permanent legislation to tackle online child sexual abuse. Negotiations on this sensitive legislation have now been ongoing for six years. "The N-VA also firmly supports protecting end-to-end encryption and is absolutely opposed to mass surveillance."

"For six years now, lawmakers have been discussing permanent legislation to define what online platforms are allowed to do to protect children online. Some of today's victims had not even been born when those talks began. Striking the right balance between child protection and privacy is essential. But while those discussions continue, platforms must retain the ability to act when they detect child sexual abuse material."

No access to encrypted messages

According to Assita Kanko, there is considerable confusion about what the temporary measure actually covers. She stresses that encrypted messages, including those sent via WhatsApp, remain fully protected. "The vast amount of child sexual abuse material circulating online requires a structured response. But end-to-end encrypted personal communications must remain off limits."

The Council of the European Union must now approve the amendments adopted by the European Parliament.