November 29, 2025
Holiday stealth, privacy meltdown
Europe's New War on Privacy
EU pushes secret chat scans as users cry ‘holiday ambush’ and hypocrisy
TLDR: EU officials quietly advanced “Chat Control 2.0,” encouraging “voluntary” scanning of private messages and age checks that curb anonymous chatting. Commenters call it a holiday sneak‑pass and privacy hypocrisy, recalling past surveillance laws; the fight matters because it could normalize routine scanning of everyone’s conversations.
Europe just hit fast-forward on “Chat Control 2.0,” a plan that nudges platforms to “voluntarily” scan private messages and forces age checks that would effectively kill anonymous chatting. It was quietly waved through by Coreper (the EU’s behind‑closed‑doors committee of national reps), with adoption by the Council possibly in December. Digital rights voices call it a “deceptive sleight of hand”, while an open letter from top academics warns of AI text scanners misreading “grooming” and putting society at risk.
The comments are on fire. One user warns over‑legislation will “split the EU apart,” another predicts a festive sneak‑attack: “They’ll pass it while you’re with family.” The top meme? A brutal clapback at cookie banners: “We value your privacy… please consent to tracking with our 5403 partners.” Others drop receipts, citing the 2006 Data Retention Directive as proof this isn’t new—just the sequel.
Not much support in sight; most think child protection is being used as a cloak for mass monitoring. People fear “voluntary” scanning becomes permanent, and AI bots poking through private messages for “vibes.” The mood: distrust, sarcasm, and a plea for better leaders—plus a growing worry that private chats won’t stay private.
Key Points
- •The European Commission proposed the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation in 2022 to scan private and encrypted messages for abuse material.
- •Public consultation showed strong opposition, with over 80% rejecting scanning of end-to-end encrypted communications.
- •After objections from several states, Denmark drafted a revised “Chat Control 2.0” removing mandatory general monitoring and making searches voluntary.
- •Coreper approved the revised text on Nov 26, 2025, paving the way for potential Council adoption in December.
- •The new draft promotes voluntary mass scanning and mandates age verification, drawing warnings from academics about societal risks and limited benefits.