this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2026
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And then people will say that EU is an oppressive state because it has a draft of a law that doesn't even come close to what US is doing already.
Problem is that Chat Control will undermine encryption. Snapchat worked as advertised.
Chat Control was never about scanning text messages, it's about scanning media to prevent propagation of CSAM. E2EE is very specifically protected and all scanning has to be done client side. Chat Control will "undermine encryption" only in the sense that messenger apps could check shared media files. If it's even passed it could in theory lead to similar situation (false positives on some media) but right now nothing like this is happening and it's not clear if it will ever happen while in US police is already being sent to people over texts to friends. So while I agree that we should be vigilant and Chat Control in its current form is not a move in the right direction screaming how EU is oppressing everyone is an exaggeration.
Chat Control 1.0 is in effect and allows providers to scan message content. That can be done with unencrypted messages (exactly like what snapchat did in the article) on the provider's servers or client side for encrypted messages. This effectively undermines encrytion regarding that provider and the government.
Chat Control 2.0 is where some in the EU propose to make the client side scanning mandatory for CSAM. Which is probably where the accusations of an oppressive EU are coming from. For now this is not im effect and there continues to be heavy pushback.
For now, it sounds like the US and the EU are effectively the same on this matter. Unencrypted messages can be scanned on device or on route, encrypted messages can be scanned client side. Nothing is mandatory for now but there is a clear push to change that. With the current model and plenty of encrypted alternatives available to text your friends without a police follow-up, it's on the user to educate themselves and chose wiser
One is as of now sending police to interrogate people over text messages and the other is not even scanning anything locally (Chat Control 1.0 allows scanning but no one is actually doing this). "Effectively the same...." People have lost all sense of proportion on this. One has currently implemented automated system to alarm police about possible school shootings based on a single text message where police is actually responding in minutes (not to mention full monitoring of kids school computers and actual police officers assaulting children in schools!) and the other doesn't even consider school shooting a meaningful risk and does not surveils kids or teachers in any way. Yes, you're right. It's pretty much the same.
I will just give up now. Doesn't make a lot of sense to talk with deranged people.
When I say "the US and the EU are effectively the same on this matter" then I talk about the legal framework that is allowing this to happen. Snapchat can scan in the EU as they did in the US.
You say this is not happening, and honestly I don't know if anyone is currently scanning under Chat Control 1 or not. It sounds to me though they could if they wanted to. Has nothing of interest come up yet? Are they scared of GDPR? If they find something, maybe they are reluctant because the public sentiment towards privacy is different and this would blow up in their face? Maybe you are right and they simply don't scan. I would not rely on it though.
Of course the lived situation in the US is significantly more oppressive than in the EU. The crimes of ICE, the constant surveillance with flock, the fcc threatening free speech.. it's insane. We need to make sure that in the EU the situation won't escalate as quickly as it did in the US, because there are plenty political parties and some governments who are trying.
Yes, and in both US and rest of the world police can use deadly force when their life is in danger. The laws are effectively the same. In practice:
Talking about what "legal framework" allows to happen while ignoring reality is pointless, disingenuous and purposefully misleading.
You lost me mate, and my patience for the insults has run thin too. All the best to you
You got confused by a simple comparison? No wonder you don't understand anything about Chat Control.
also us is quite selective when they will enforce which laws.