What the fuck is going on with Europe? The chat control law will only scratch the surface of pedophile criminals and terrorists. It only harms the privacy millions of Europeans. I hope the majority will vote against this mass surveillance bullshit in two weeks. Unbelievable...
https://netzpolitik.org/2023/chatkonrolle-weltweite-warnung-vor-ueberwachungsplaenen-der-eu/
Translation:
Worldwide warning against EU surveillance plans
Shortly before the decision on chat control, an international alliance of non-governmental organizations warns against the EU's surveillance plans. The regulation threatens the freedom and security of all Internet users, say more than 80 NGOs from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin and South America, and the United States.
More than 80 NGOs from around the world are calling on EU member states to prevent the so-called chat control. In an open letter, they warn that the planned regulation to prevent and combat the sexual abuse of children will lead to the mass surveillance of millions of people without any prior warning. Negotiations on chat control are nearing completion, with states expected to decide on their common position by the end of September.
Privacy, freedom of expression and presumption of innocence under threat
"We call on all EU governments to reject the Regulation on Preventing and Combating Child Sexual Abuse until it fully protects rights, freedoms and safety online," the signatories appeal. Far-reaching changes are needed to protect privacy, freedom of expression and the presumption of innocence, they said. "The proposed law is unprecedented: it could force companies to scan everyone's digital communications, at any time, on behalf of governments," the 80-plus NGOs write. As a result, they say, the draft threatens end-to-end encryption.
The regulation could also lead to mandatory ID checks before Internet use, they further criticize. This would threaten the digital exclusion of all those who do not have the "right" documents.
The German Bar Association (DAV), which co-signed the letter, also considers the plan incompatible with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in a supplementary press release. "Seeing eye to eye and against their better judgment, the EU co-legislators are taking the risk of passing a regulation that the ECJ would have to immediately scrap," says attorney Dr. David Albrecht.
Broad opposition to chat control
The signatories of the letter are non-governmental organizations from all over the world. In addition to European associations such as European Digital Rights (EDRi) and international organizations such as Access Now and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, associations from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the USA are also represented. In addition to the DAV, German signatories include the Chaos Computer Club and D64. The Austrian children's association Lobby4Kids is one of the signatories.
The joint letter once again underscores the broad opposition to the law that has been building up for months. In addition to civil society and renowned scientists, IT industry associations and the Council's Legal Service have also warned the EU member states against the regulation.