The European Parliament rejected a last-minute attempt to extend rules allowing platforms to voluntarily scan private messages for child sexual abuse material. The current rules are set to expire on April 3, just a week after the vote.
Weeks of negotiations between Parliament, the Council, and the Commission failed without agreement. MEPs voted down the proposal with 311 against, 228 in favor, and 92 abstentions.
On 11 March, MEPs agreed on a compromise to extend the rules, but only until August 2027 and with stricter limits. According to the EP’s position, voluntary detection must be limited, targeted and not used on end-to-end encrypted messages. Besides, authorities can only scan for specific suspects or groups.
Protecting children is not optional. This leaves children exposed and offenders unchallenged. — MEP Lena Düpont (EPP/DEU)
However, talks with EU governments fell apart. Member states refused to accept these limits, and no agreement was reached in time. As a consequence, the European People’s Party made a last-minute attempt to keep the rules in place by putting a new vote on the table. On Thursday, lawmakers rejected it, deepening divisions between political groups.
EPP accuses S&D of irresponsibility
The result exposed clear splits in Parliament. The EPP blamed other groups, including the Socialists, Renew, ECR and the Greens, for blocking the extension just days before the current rules expire.
From the start, the EPP argued that any changes beyond its proposal would delay the process and make it impossible to avoid a gap in protection. “Despite EPP efforts, S&D failed to lead the process, preventing an agreement with EU member states. This is completely irresponsible,” said MEP Javier Zarzalejos (EPP/ESP). “Protecting children is not optional,” added MEP Lena Düpont (EPP/DEU). “This leaves children exposed and offenders unchallenged.”
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Opponents saw the vote differently. “Today’s vote on Chat Control 1.0 damages the credibility of the European Parliament,” said MEP Markéta Gregorová (Greens/CZE). She accused the EPP of trying to reopen a file Parliament had already decided.
Pressure from Big Tech
Major tech companies say these tools are important to detect abuse. According to the industry, many child abuse cases start with reports from platforms using tools that identify known illegal material.
Days before the vote, Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok warned that letting the rules expire would weaken their ability to detect and report abuse. “Failure to act will reduce the legal clarity that has enabled companies for nearly 20 years to detect and report known child sexual abuse material,” they said in a joint statement.
A legal vacuum with immediate consequences
With no extension in place, the current rules will expire after 3 April 2026. This creates immediate uncertainty. Without this legal basis, companies may no longer be allowed to scan private messages for abuse material. Still, platforms will have to remove illegal content under the Digital Services Act.
