As EU lawmakers are about to make a decision on the controversial "chat control" legislation, privacy experts warn that it could undermine public trust in digital communications and drive users towards Web3 platforms.

At the heart of the controversy is the EU's proposed "Regulation on Preventing and Combating Child Sexual Abuse," which requires platforms to scan private messages for illegal content before encryption. Critics argue that this effectively creates a backdoor in encryption systems, contradicting the EU's own commitments to privacy.

Hans Rempel, co-founder and CEO of Diode, told Cointelegraph: "Giving an inherently corruptible entity almost unlimited power to spy on individuals' private lives is incompatible with the honest value statement of digital privacy." He called the proposal a dangerous overreach.

Elisenda Fabrega, Chief Legal Officer at Brickken, pointed out that the law seems "difficult to justify under existing EU court case law." She referenced Articles 7 and 8 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which safeguard the confidentiality of communications and the protection of personal data.

She explained: "Client-side scanning will be able to monitor content on user devices before transmission, including in the absence of any signs of illegal activity."

Experts say the regulation sets a dangerous precedent from both legal and technical perspectives. When asked if these tools could be abused, Rempel added: "There are no guarantees. Over 10% of data breaches occur in government systems."

Fabrega expressed concern about the broader impact of such surveillance on public trust. She said: "Encryption is not just a technical feature; it is a commitment to users that their private communications will remain confidential."

The erosion of trust in traditional messaging platforms may prompt users to explore decentralized Web3 alternatives, which are designed to protect user data through encryption.

Rempel stated: "The privacy battle cry of Web3 is 'not your keys, not your data.' This is true self-custody of data." He added that ultimately, users maintain sovereignty over their information "from cradle to grave."

Fabrega echoed this sentiment, stating that if the chat control law passes, "privacy-conscious users will increasingly explore decentralized Web3 alternatives." She warned that this shift could "fragment the European digital market" and weaken the EU's ability to shape international privacy norms.

Germany, which holds a key voting power, has yet to take a final stance. While 15 EU countries currently support the proposal, they have failed to meet the 65% population threshold required for passage. If Germany votes in favor, the law could pass; if it abstains or opposes, the legislation is expected to fail.

Rempel expressed skepticism about the likelihood of passage: "We think the chances are low. But this won't be the last time an attempt is made to undermine fundamental human rights in the name of security."

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Original article: “Privacy Experts: EU Chat Control Law Will Drive Users Towards 'Web3 Alternatives'”

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