Safety or surveillance? Europe’s debate over ‘Chat Control’

By Tomaz Lovsin

The European Union is at a crossroads in its digital policy. A draft regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (CSA) — often called “Chat Control” — would allow authorities to order private messaging and hosting services to scan for prohibited content inside people’s communications. Supporters present this as a child-protection measure. Critics, including Europe’s own legal experts, warn it risks normalizing suspicionless surveillance and undermining