While the stated aim is to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the proposal would compel services used by hundreds of millions — WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, iMessage, and major email providers — to scan every message, including personal photos, and videos. Experts warn this means indiscriminate, real-time mass surveillance and the effective end of secure end-to-end encryption.

The Danish minister, chairing the rotating Council Presidency, claims the European Parliament will refuse to extend the current, expiring voluntary scanning regime unless the EU Council first agrees to the new mandate for mandatory, indiscriminate scanning of all private communications.

“This is a blatant lie designed to manufacture a crisis,” states Dr. Breyer, a long-time digital freedom fighter.