Ireland is maintaining its support for controversial EU legislation that would require social media companies to scan encrypted messages for child abuse material, despite ongoing resistance from several member states.
The proposal, which has faced challenges since its introduction two-and-a-half years ago, failed to secure agreement at the recent EU Justice and Home Affairs Council. The measure would mandate platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to scan all encrypted communications for child sexual abuse imagery.
“Ireland will continue to actively engage with other member states,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said, emphasizing its commitment to finding a compromise that all EU members can support. Poland, which previously opposed the draft, will now lead efforts to broker an agreement as the incoming EU presidency holder.
The debate has drawn sharp divisions, with privacy advocates warning against undermining encryption, while child protection groups like ISPCC and CARI strongly support the measure. Hotline.ie CEO Mick Moran argues that tech companies already scan for malware, drawing parallels with law enforcement’s ability to search homes with court warrants.
According to The Irish Examiner, European Police Chiefs, including An Garda Síochána, have urged social media companies to develop technical solutions for identifying serious crimes in encrypted communications, particularly expressing concern about Facebook’s expansion of end-to-end encryption without retaining oversight capabilities.