Child sexual abuse online: voluntary detection measures will not be extended
On Thursday, Parliament voted to not prolong an interim derogation from e-Privacy rules allowing service providers to voluntarily detect child sexual abuse online in private communications.
With 228 votes in favour, 311 against, and 92 abstentions, MEPs rejected the Commission proposal, closing EP first reading on extending an existing derogation of the ePrivacy Directive. The purpose of the proposed extension was to continue temporary measures while negotiations continue on a long-term legal framework to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online.
The Parliament position, adopted on 11 March 2026, favoured extending the measures for a shorter period (until August 2027) than the Commission proposal and with narrower scope to ensure the measures remain proportional and targeted.
Negotiations with Council on the proposal did not lead to an agreement. The interim regulation will therefore expire after 3 April 2026.
Background
The voluntary exemption was already extended in 2024. Parliament has been ready for negotiations on the permanent framework since November 2023. Since Council adopted its position in November 2025, talks on the permanent law have been ongoing.