European Union member states have agreed to renew a controversial legal exemption that permits internet companies to voluntarily scan private user messages for child sexual abuse material.
The decision, reached in Brussels on Wednesday, allows tech firms to deploy scanning technologies without violating the bloc's strict encryption and privacy laws, provided the measures are taken on a voluntary basis to combat online exploitation.
The agreement must still be formally confirmed by the European Parliament and the Council to become law.
However, the political consensus among member states signals a significant shift in the EU's approach to digital safety, prioritizing the protection of minors over absolute privacy guarantees in private communications.
This development comes as lawmakers increasingly scrutinize how algorithmic feeds expose children to harmful content.
The renewed exemption places fresh pressure on major social media platforms operating in Europe.