Home Nikola BARTŮŠEK

I voted against the proposal to extend the application period of Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 because it continues to allow exceptional measures that interfere with the confidentiality of communications without providing a sufficiently clear and permanent legal framework.
The regulation was originally adopted as a temporary derogation to allow providers of interpersonal communication services to voluntarily detect, remove and report child sexual abuse material online. While the objective of protecting children online is unquestionably important, repeated extensions of temporary measures risk normalising extraordinary surveillance practices without adequate democratic scrutiny.
Instead of prolonging a provisional solution, the European Union should prioritise the adoption of a comprehensive and legally robust framework that effectively combats child sexual abuse while fully respecting fundamental rights, including privacy and data protection.
Extending the current regulation without resolving these legal and institutional concerns creates uncertainty for service providers and does not provide the long-term clarity needed for both law enforcement and digital platforms.
For these reasons, I voted against the extension and believe that the EU should focus on developing a balanced, permanent legislative solution that both protects children online and safeguards fundamental rights.

I voted in favour of the agreement on cooperation between Europol and the competent authorities of Ecuador because strengthening international cooperation is essential in the fight against serious organised crime and terrorism.
Criminal networks increasingly operate across borders, particularly in areas such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and money laundering. Ecuador has become an important transit country for organised crime groups involved in these activities, many of which have direct links to criminal networks operating within the European Union. Improving cooperation with Ecuadorian authorities therefore contributes directly to enhancing the security of EU citizens.
This agreement enables Europol to exchange strategic and operational information with Ecuador’s competent authorities, while ensuring that such cooperation takes place within a structured legal framework. Importantly, the agreement includes safeguards on data protection and the responsible handling of information, which are essential when sharing sensitive law-enforcement data.
By strengthening cooperation with key international partners, the European Union can more effectively disrupt criminal networks and improve the prevention and investigation of serious crimes.
For these reasons, I supported the agreement as a practical step to enhance international law-enforcement cooperation and strengthen the EU’s ability to combat serious crime and terrorism.