EU Council Extends Derogation for Chat Control Until April 2028 (heise.de)

• EU Council extends chat control derogation until April 2028.
• Automated scanning limited to unencrypted chats.
• Procedural maneuver overrides Parliament's initial rejection.

"The EU Council on July 23, 2026 approved the renewal of the derogation allowing voluntary chat control. The measure permits platforms like Google and Meta to continue automated scanning for child sexual abuse material. The extension runs until April 3, 2028, following the expiration of the previous derogation in April 2026. The council's decision came after months of dispute, with the European Parliament initially rejecting the extension. A procedural maneuver by the council bypassed the parliamentary blockade. The European Commission called the agreement a bridging solution and urged the adoption of permanent rules. The derogation is necessary because such scanning violates EU data protection law."