How can Europe better protect children online while keeping private conversations private? That question was at the centre of the European Parliament’s latest vote on rules to tackle child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Renew Europe opposed extending temporary rules allowing online platforms to voluntarily scan for and report CSAM, arguing that Europe needs a stronger, permanent solution that protects children while safeguarding fundamental rights.
The group welcomed the adoption of two amendments strengthening protections for encrypted communications and online privacy. These changes help ensure secure private messages remain protected while work continues on a long-term EU framework to tackle online child sexual abuse.
However, the group warned that relying on temporary measures risks delaying a permanent solution. Without a lasting framework, the EU could miss out on a dedicated child protection centre, a common EU approach, clearer obligations for platforms and stronger prevention measures.
Liberals expressed disappointment that two other amendments were rejected – arguing that these measures could have strengthened democratic safeguards and reduced the risk of private companies deciding how people’s communications are monitored.
Irena Joveva MEP (Gibanje Svoboda, SI), Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur on the Temporary Derogation Extension for CSAM, said:
“While it is a small victory for this House that we successfully excluded end-to-end encryption from the scanning of private communications, it is simply not enough. I remain deeply disappointed that the Council, with the backing of one political group, managed to force this vote upon us.
We clearly had the numbers, as proven in previous votes, but forcing a session on the final day of July makes securing an absolute majority incredibly difficult. This sets a troubling precedent for the Parliament. I urge the negotiators to find a solution on the permanent framework.”
Hilde Vautmans MEP (Anders, BE), Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur on the proposed EU CSAM Regulation, said:
“Every child deserves the strongest possible protection from sexual abuse online. Renew Europe fought to ensure Europeans would never be asked to choose between protecting children and protecting their fundamental rights. Thanks to our amendments, the final text explicitly excludes end-to-end encryption from any scanning obligation - a real, if partial, safeguard for people’s privacy. But that is not enough. The text still leaves too many gaps: it fails to adequately address grooming and newly produced material, and it relies on voluntary measures rather than binding obligations.
That is why we voted against the final text. This interim measure can never be allowed to substitute for the permanent CSAM Regulation. Council and Commission must now return to the table without delay to deliver a permanent framework that protects children without undermining secure communications.”
Renew Europe was the only political group to consistently defend both child protection and the confidentiality of private communications and we will continue to fight for it.