MEP Sonneborn attacks fast-track revival of EU chat scanning rules

The European Parliament faces a vote this week on resurrecting lapsed interim rules that would let online platforms scan private messages for child sexual abuse material.

Fast-track procedure revives the lapsed measure. The interim rules ended in April after MEPs voted down any extension. The centre-right EPP group has now brought them back using a rarely used fast-track procedure.

If the chamber green-lights the urgent process, the decisive ballot is scheduled for July 9. Voting will occur under altered conditions that could allow passage with only minority backing.

Critics challenge the process and substance. Opponents, among them several MEPs and digital rights organisations, contend the manoeuvre weakens democratic oversight. They also voice worries about privacy and the future of encrypted communications.

German MEP Martin Sonneborn reported that Metsola silenced his microphone after 60 seconds during the July 6 opening session in Strasbourg while he sought to contest the accelerated route. Sonneborn and MEP Sibylle Berg maintain that forcing the proposal forward violates the chamber’s own Rules of Procedure.

Proponents rely on attrition strategy. Sonneborn told Brussels Signal that “attrition is the strategy”. He explained that supporters of the measure realise they need not prevail on the merits; they merely have to select a favourable moment. The legislature has already turned down mass scanning of private messages on two separate occasions.

Text remains unchanged from expired version. Sonneborn emphasised that the current draft matches the earlier proposal in every substantive respect. “The text is the same as that of Chat Control 1.0, which expired on 3 April. Nothing has been improved, nothing has been fixed, nothing has been learned,” he said.

The fast-track attempt comes despite the prior rejection of an identical extension in April.