EU Parliament greenlights Chat Control 1.0

The European Parliament approved mass surveillance of private communications ("Chat Control 1.0") despite a majority of voting members opposing it, as the rejection motion failed to reach the required absolute majority threshold of 361 votes (314 against, 276 in favor). The interim measure will remain in effect until 2028, allowing suspicionless scanning of private messages, though a symbolic exemption was adopted for encrypted communications. Civil rights activists warn the passage damages democracy and jeopardizes effective child protection, with negotiations on a permanent regulation set to resume in September.