EU 'Chat Control' Vote Blocked as Germany Withdraws Support for Encrypted Message Scanning

Summary

The European Council's vote on 'Chat Control' legislation, which would mandate scanning of all private communications including encrypted messages, was pulled at the last minute on October 14th. Germany withdrew support, creating a blocking minority that prevented the Danish Presidency from getting the controversial text approved. The legislation raises fundamental questions about whether Europe can achieve digital sovereignty while simultaneously breaking encryption, as the proposal would require scanning private communications regardless of encryption status. Denmark still hopes to push the legislation through by the end of its EU presidency in December.