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Europe Postpones ‘Chat Control’ Vote

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Data Privacy
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Data Security

EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Halts Voting, Sees Opposition

Akshaya Asokan (asokan_akshaya) •
October 13, 2025    

Europe Postpones 'Chat Control' Vote
Image: Shutterstock

A European content scanning proposal intended to enhance online child safety stalled after German lawmakers voiced opposition and member states canceled a planned vote on the measure’s adoption.

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The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council was set to vote Tuesday on Chat Control, which would require online service providers to scan communications and files on users devices for child sexual abuse material. The proposal has provoked criticism over its invasiveness since it was first introduced by the European Commission in 2022 (see: EU’s LIBE Rejects Mass Content Scanning in CSAM Proposal).

The Danish presidency has made it a priority to pass Chat Control during its turn at the head of the European Union. Previous iterations of the proposal put forward by Hungary and Belgium failed due to lack of consensus among member states.

“The CSAM proposal is no longer on the agenda of the meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, which will take place Monday and Tuesday in Luxembourg,” a EU Justice and Home Affairs spokesperson told Information Security Media Group.

Privacy rights organizations and chat app providers Signal and Threema have argued the proposal would lead to arbitrary surveillance and increased hacking risks. “Privacy is a human right, and we believe that internet users should be able to exchange thoughts and ideas without being tracked by companies or monitored by governments,” a Threema spokesperson told ISMG. “We feel that in its current form, Chat Control does not align with basic human rights the EU acknowledges.”

The council’s cancelation was likely due to German opposition, said Ella Jakubowska, head of policy at European Digital Rights (see: Breach Roundup: EU ‘Chat Control’ a Tough Sell in Germany).

Had Germany supported the proposal, the regulation would have advanced to final trilogue negotiations between the Council, Parliament and the Commission. The Netherlands and Poland are among states that have opposed Chat Control, while France and Ireland are among the countries that back it.

The EU Home Affairs spokesperson said the Danish presidency is likely to reintroduce the proposal toward the end of the year. On Friday, ministers from 27 European countries, led by the Danish presidency, signed a declaration stating that a “legislation must be effectively implemented” to ensure online child safety.

“We need ‘digital bouncers’ to ensure that the internet is a safe place to be and that children are not granted access when they are not old enough. It is crucial that we stand strong together in Europe if we want to make a real difference,” said Caroline Stage, Denmark’s Minister for Digital Affairs.





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    Boosting Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Effective Strategies for Task Automation

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    Employing Automated Threat Detection

    One of the primary challenges in cybersecurity is the timely identification and response to potential threats. Small businesses can automate threat detection by deploying security information and event management (SIEM) or intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS). These tools analyze network traffic, log files, and system events, promptly alerting business owners to suspicious activities or potential breaches. Automating threat detection reduces the burden of manual monitoring and ensures faster incident response.

    Implementing Patch Management Systems

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    Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

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    Automating Security Auditing and Compliance

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    Deploying Automated Data Backups and Recovery

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    Educating Employees with Security Awareness Training

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    The Vital Role of Ethical Hackers in Cybersecurity

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    To achieve their goal, ethical hackers immerse themselves in the expanse of security breaches, exploits, and vulnerability scenarios. They leave no stone unturned. Their goal is to protect organizations from malicious attacks, ensuring that the digital fortress remains untouchable.

    Don't underestimate the importance of ethical hacking. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has never been more pressing. According to a report by Emergen Research, the cybersecurity industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0% to 13.4% from 2022 to 2030. This surge in demand reflects the critical importance of ethical hackers in fortifying digital infrastructure against the relentless onslaught of cyber threats.

    Embracing the Journey: Continuous Learning and Certification for Ethical Hackers

    Becoming an ethical hacker requires diverse skills and knowledge. Understanding the types of hackers is crucial, as it provides insights into how they operate. Armed with this knowledge, ethical hackers delve into cutting-edge tools and techniques. They leverage their skills to identify vulnerabilities and devise countermeasures.

    The responsibilities of an ethical hacker transcend merely identifying weaknesses. They also recommend solutions and implement robust security measures. Their expertise helps organizations fortify their defenses, minimize breaches, and protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.

    The Tools of Ethical Hacking

    Curious about the tools an ethical hacker uses? They have access to a diverse range of tools. These tools allow them to probe and analyze digital systems, uncover weaknesses, and assess the resilience of security measures. While the specific tools vary based on the objectives and preferences of individual ethical hackers, there are several standard tools they employ. 

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    WireShark, a network protocol analyzer, is another indispensable tool for ethical hackers. It allows them to capture and examine network traffic, providing deep insights into the packets traversing the network. With WireShark, ethical hackers can scrutinize individual packets, analyze network protocols, and identify suspicious or malicious activity. This tool enables them to detect anomalies, trace the origin of potential security breaches, and assess the security posture of the network.

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    References:

    "Cybersecurity Market, By Component (Hardware, Solution, Service), By Security Type, By Solution, By Application (IT & Telecom, Retail, BFSI, Healthcare, Defense & Government, Manufacturing, Energy, Others), By Region Forecast to 2032". Www.Emergenresearch.Com, 2023, https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/cyber-security-market. Accessed 25 May 2023.

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    PSL’s Easy Guide to Understanding Cybersecurity

    The world of cybersecurity can often feel like a maze of technobabble and obscure acronyms. Yet in an era where our lives increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, it's important to have a basic understanding of the terminology involved. Learning about cybersecurity can help you avoid common mistakes and limit the chance of becoming a victim of these crimes.

    Here is an overview of common cybersecurity terms.

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    Worm

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    Trojan

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    Ransomware

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    Spyware

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    4) Firewall

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    5) VPN (Virtual Private Network)

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    6) Encryption

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    7) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

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    8) Darknet/Dark Web

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    9) Data Breach

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    10) Botnet

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    Closing Thoughts

    Understanding cybersecurity is not just for the tech-savvy; it's for everyone. We are all potential targets for cyber threats, and comprehension of basic cybersecurity terminology can make a significant difference in safeguarding ourselves and our digital assets.

    Employing cybersecurity measures also helps to keep your digital data safe. This might include using a VPN, enabling two-factor authentication, or simply being wary of suspicious emails to prevent phishing attacks.

    Ultimately, it's not necessary for everyone to be a cybersecurity expert, but a basic understanding of the key terms can be an empowering first step in better securing your digital life. This newfound knowledge can provide you the confidence to navigate the online world with more safety and assurance.