In a communication published on Thursday 5 February, the citizens’ alliance ‘Stop Chat Control’ called on European citizens to question MEPs before the European Parliament vote on extending the exception from the ePrivacy Directive, which involves the mass analysis of private messages by the major US platforms..
Nicknamed ‘Chat Control’, this extension expires on 3 April, but the Commission and the Council of the EU want to extend it for a further two years (see EUROPE 13796/11). It enables platforms such as Meta or Google to scan communications using artificial intelligence to detect child pornography.
MEPs, and more specifically Birgit Sippel (S&D, German), the rapporteur on the subject, are urged to give priority to a “Security by Design” approach.. In particular, campaigners are calling for surveillance to be limited to suspects already under judicial authorisation, so as not to be “cementing a failed model” to the detriment of the Rule of law.
Patrick Breyer, former MEP and shadow rapporteur on this subject for the Greens/EFA Group, showed his support for the initiative, denouncing a “privatisation of the confidentiality of correspondence”. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)