Denmark didn’t waste any time flexing its new role as EU Council president. On July 1, day one of its term, it brought back a controversial proposal that’s been simmering for years — and this time, the momentum is real.
According to tech commentator Korben, even France — once firmly against the measure — is now backing it. Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, and Spain are also on board. Germany hasn’t committed yet, but if Berlin flips, the plan could clear a qualified majority vote by mid-October.
In EU-speak, a “qualified majority” means hitting two benchmarks: at least 15 of the 27 member states in favor, and those countries representing 65% of the bloc’s population. This proposal could check both boxes if the political math lines up.
The twist is in what the law actually does. It doesn’t directly break encryption. Instead, it introduces client-side scanning — code built into your phone or computer that screens content before it gets encrypted. As Korben put it, “A bit like if the Post Office came to read all your letters in your living room before you put them in the envelope.”
Critics argue the stated goal — combating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — is a moral shield for a sweeping surveillance regime. Patrick Breyer, a former German MEP with the European Pirate Party, warns that criminals will simply migrate to harder-to-trace encrypted or decentralized channels.
Ordinary people, meanwhile, will have their private chats scanned by algorithms in real time.
The proposal also doesn’t stop at scanning. It includes mandatory age verification for messaging platforms, effectively stripping away online anonymity. Digital rights groups say that’s a red line for privacy and free expression.
For now, campaigners are urging citizens to contact their Members of European Parliament, sign petitions, and pressure national governments before the vote happens. Breyer’s warning is blunt: once such infrastructure is in place, it’s nearly impossible to roll back.
If Germany tips the scales, the EU could be weeks away from transforming private messaging into monitored space — not just for the worst offenders, but for everyone. And this time, the clock is ticking fast.
