[Chapter-delegates] Support Needed: Encryption Threats

[Nancy Quiros]

Dear Leaders,
Hello all,

I hope that this finds you well. I am writing to share two key updates related to encryption files in the European Union.

  1.  Child Sexual Abuse Regulation

As some of you have been following, the discussion in the Council of the EU continues to be heated. The Global Encryption Coalition has been active on this issue for many years, and we have intervened against bad ideas under the Belgian<https://www.globalencryption.org/2024/04/statement-of-the-global-encryption-coalitions-steering-committee-on-the-belgian-presidencys-compromise-proposal-on-eu-csam/> and Hungarian<https://www.globalencryption.org/2024/09/gec-steering-committee-statement-on-9-september-text-of-the-european-csa-regulation/> presidencies.

The Polish presidency provided us with a lull, but with the start of the Danish presidency in July we have seen a renewed push for mandatory client-side scanning in end-to-end encrypted environments. In some ways this proposal is even worse than previous versions, as it requires scanning for both known and unknown child sexual abuse material using artificial intelligence. See the Danish proposal here<https://cdn.netzpolitik.org/wp-upload/2025/07/2025-07-24_Council_Presidency_LEWP_CSA-R_Compromise-texts_11596.pdf>.

We have learned that the group of member states blocking the proposal is particularly weak and there is a risk that the Danish proposal could pass. You can see the status of each member state here <https://fightchatcontrol.eu/> (with Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia undecided).

The next meeting is scheduled for September 12th and the expectation is that member states will finalize their position by that time. This will be followed by a formal vote on October 14th.

Act now. Coalition members can act now by speaking out against the current proposal.



Contact representatives from the members states that are either undecided or are supportive of the Danish proposal.

Speak to journalists or publish an op-ed in national media publications, increasing public scrutiny on the issue.
Arguments found in our previous coalition statements (linked above) can provide you with talking points. Arguments related to how client-side scanning creates vulnerabilities that threaten national security<https://www.globalencryption.org/2025/05/joint-letter-on-the-european-internal-security-strategy-protecteu/> may carry particular weight in the current debate. Please do reach out with any questions or ideas.

  1.  European Internal Security Strategy

As many of you will remember, in May we sent an open letter<https://www.globalencryption.org/2025/05/joint-letter-on-the-european-internal-security-strategy-protecteu/> to Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner that was signed by 89 coalition members. The letter shared our concerns about the European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU) and its framing of encryption as a problem.

Earlier this week we received a formal response from Commissioner Brunner’s office which I have attached here. The letter acknowledges our concerns, promising that proportionality will be applied with regards to privacy and fundamental rights.

I would take this opportunity to remind everyone here that the Roadmap on Encryption that is included in the strategy has an ongoing call for experts<https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=4005> that will conclude on September 1st. Please circulate this opportunity among your pro-encryption contacts and apply if you think you could add value to these important discussions.

Thank you once again everyone for your incredible work. While there is much to be done, I continue to be impressed by the passion and dedication of this group.

Best regards,

Nancy Quirós, Senior Community Engagement Manager
On behalf of Callum Vogue Director – Government Affairs and Advocacy

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