EU member states remain divided on controversial CSAM-scanning plan — but for how long?

EU member states failed to reach a qualified majority on a CSAM-scanning proposal that would require messaging platforms, including end-to-end encrypted services, to implement image and video scanning via “upload moderation,” leaving the file stalled and likely rolling into Hungary’s upcoming Council presidency. Critics including Signal, Proton, and several MEPs argue it would break encryption, enable mass surveillance, and generate false positives, while the Belgian presidency says they are very close to consensus, needing only one country to shift to start trilogue talks.