#surveillance

The European Parliament voted on July 8, 2026, to allow mass scanning of private messages until April 3, 2028, despite a majority of MEPs opposing the measure. This decision represents a significant setback for digital privacy in the EU, as it permits warrantless scanning of private communications on platforms like Gmail, Snapchat, and Skype, setting a precedent for mass surveillance. The motion to reject the scanning law failed because it required an absolute majority of all 705 MEPs (361 votes), not just those present; only 314 voted against, 276 in favor, 17 abstentions, and 113 were absent.

The European Union is one step away from reviving proposed rules that would require scanning of private messages for child sexual abuse material, threatening the future of end-to-end encryption. If enacted, these rules could undermine privacy and encryption across the EU, affecting hundreds of millions of users and setting a dangerous precedent for mass surveillance. The proposal, known as Chat Control, has two versions: Chat Control 1.0 allows voluntary scanning by platforms, while Chat Control 2.0 mandates scanning and effectively bans end-to-end encryption.

The European Union is advancing Chat Control proposals 1.0 and 2.0, which would require messaging platforms to scan all private messages and uploaded content for child sexual abuse material, potentially undermining end-to-end encryption. These proposals represent a significant shift towards mass surveillance, threatening the privacy and security of all EU citizens' digital communications. If enacted, they could set a global precedent for weakening encryption and enable broader government surveillance capabilities. Chat Control relies on client-side scanning, which checks content on users' devices before encryption, bypassing end-to-end protection. The proposals have been criticized for technical risks like false positives and potential abuse by authorities for purposes beyond child protection.

The European Parliament unexpectedly revived the controversial Chat Control law during its second reading, and it passed the first procedural round, giving proponents a tactical advantage. This law would mandate mass surveillance of private messages, threatening end-to-end encryption and digital privacy. Its advancement could set a dangerous precedent for widespread surveillance in the EU. In the second reading, amendments or rejection require an absolute majority of 361 MEPs, while the law itself can pass with a simple majority of those present. Many MEPs have already left for summer break, making rejection harder.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has issued a call to action urging Californians to oppose a bill that would require 3D printers to use locked-down slicer software and detection algorithms to prevent printing of firearms. If passed, this bill would restrict open-source 3D printing innovation, infringe on user privacy, and set a dangerous precedent for technology surveillance in other states. The bill mandates that 3D printers only accept print jobs from authorized, proprietary software, effectively eliminating the use of open-source slicers like PrusaSlicer, and requires manufacturers to implement detection algorithms.