Cybersecurity & Standards, European Policy, Government Surveillance, Privacy & Data
CDT Joins Letter Urging EU Commission to Protect Communications’ Privacy & Security While Tackling CSAM
CDT has joined European Digital Rights (EDRi) and more than 35 civil society groups in an open letter calling on the European Commission to protect digital rights and freedoms in the context of a draft EU regulation on child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
We are concerned that, if enacted, the regulation may effectively compel communication service providers to scan content for CSAM — a process that is inconsistent with end-to-end encrypted messaging and with other communications systems that are encrypted end-to-end.
From the letter:
Tackling the online dissemination of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAM) is an important part of the broader global fight to protect young people from sexual abuse and exploitation. In particular, this fight requires a comprehensive approach by governments and companies to prevent such egregious crimes before they happen. In the context of the upcoming EU legislation to effectively tackle child abuse, we urge the Commission to ensure that people’s private communications do not become collateral damage of the forthcoming legislation.
As the shocking events of the past three weeks have emphasised, privacy and safety are mutually reinforcing rights. People under attack depend on privacy-preserving technologies to communicate with journalists, to coordinate protection for their families, and to fight for their safety and rights. Equally in peacetime, people’s ability to communicate without unjustified intrusion – whether online or offline – is vital for their rights and freedoms, as well as for the development of vibrant and secure communities, civil society and industry.
