European Union member states agreed Wednesday on a common position for new regulations to combat online child sexual abuse, emphasizing risk assessments and prevention without forcing tech giants to scan private messages. The deal, advanced by Denmark’s Council presidency, requires platforms to evaluate misuse risks for distributing abuse material or child solicitation, then deploy mitigation like age verification and parental controls—leaving enforcement to national authorities.europarl.europa+1
National Oversight, Fines for Non-Compliance
Providers face fines for failing risk checks, but mandatory detection remains optional, averting privacy clashes that stalled earlier “chat control” proposals. An EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse will launch as a victim support hub, filtering reports to Europol and national bodies while aiding compliance. Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummel called it intolerable that “millions of files” of exploitation circulate yearly, urging swift adoption.tremau+2
Balancing Safety and Privacy After Years of Debate
The framework builds on a temporary e-Privacy exemption expiring 2026, rejecting broad surveillance amid concerns from Germany and others. It mandates “safety by design” for child-targeted services and porn platforms, plus voluntary reporting tools, while expanding victim rights to demand content removal. Final approval awaits European Parliament talks, aiming to shield children without eroding end-to-end encryption.europarl.europa+4
