The European Union is set to vote on a controversial bill known as ‘Chat Control,’ scheduled for October 14th. This legislation compels online communication platforms to scan user messages, photos, and videos – even those protected by end-to-end encryption – in an effort to combat child sexual abuse material. However, this measure has sparked concerns about mass surveillance and a significant infringement on privacy rights. Currently, 19 member states have expressed support for the bill, with France’s stance shifting towards approval while Germany remains undecided. If the bill passes with a majority vote, it will introduce substantial changes to the EU’s digital communication privacy standards. To pass, the EU Council requires at least 55% of member states (equivalent to 15 out of 27) to support it and these countries must represent over 65% of the EU’s total population.