ICYMI - thanks to the recent vote on “ChatControl”, from tomorrow (Saturday, April 4), mass scanning of private messages loses its legal basis in the EU 🇪🇺 The EU rejected extending the temporary law that allowed voluntary scanning - so it expires today (April 3). 👉 What changes: → Platforms can no longer carry out mass scanning of private messages without suspicion or court order → The legal basis for “voluntary” scanning of emails & DMs (Gmail, Instagram, Discord, etc.) disappears → In practice, such blanket scanning is now likely unlawful under EU privacy rules 👉 What remains possible: → Scanning of public posts and cloud-stored content → Users can still report content voluntarily → Law enforcement can still access communications with a judicial order 👉 What was never covered: → End-to-end encrypted chats (e.g. WhatsApp) — despite earlier proposals (end of last year) to include them → Most EU-based providers never engaged in this scanning 👉 Context: → A permanent EU “ChatControl” law is still under negotiation, so the long-term outcome remains tbd → Parliament & Member States remain divided Bottom line: A clear shift in EU tech policy: from fears of mandatory mass scanning end of last year (even of encrypted services) → to no legal basis for even voluntary scanning of private communications (for now). A big win for EU privacy advocates!(Patrick Hansen)