The EU 'Chat Control' proposal would require platforms to run detection tools on users' devices to scan private messages, photos and files for child sexual abuse material before encryption. Signal and many privacy advocates call the plan invasive, saying client-side scanning operates like spyware and would undermine end-to-end encryption. Security researchers warn it introduces new attack surfaces, risks false positives and mission creep, and could chill journalism and lawful speech.

Several EU governments are divided and a decisive vote is scheduled for October 14, 2025; the outcome could set a global precedent for encrypted messaging.