The European Parliament has decided to apply an accelerated procedure for the reconsideration of temporary rules that have earned the unflattering nickname "chat control" within the crypto community and among human rights activists. This step signals Brussels' serious intention to strengthen oversight of digital communications, directly affecting the interests of users of decentralized platforms and cryptocurrency wallets.
The vote on this procedural matter took place this week. The initiative was supported by 331 deputies, while 304 voted against, and 11 abstained. To reject or amend the proposal, an absolute majority of 361 votes would have been required—this was not achieved, effectively paving the way for final consideration.
What is "chat control" and why it matters for the crypto community
These are temporary rules that allow law enforcement agencies to access encrypted messages of citizens in messengers and other communication services. For the crypto industry, this is a red flag: if such norms are adopted, they could set a precedent for the mandatory introduction of "backdoors" into wallets, decentralized applications (dApps), and messaging protocols. This undermines the very concept of privacy and confidentiality that underpins many blockchain projects.
A new vote on the substance of the rules is scheduled for July 9. Given the balance of power (331 votes "for" versus 304 "against" with the required 361 to block), the adoption of "chat control" remains highly likely. However, the final outcome will depend on whether opponents can mobilize additional votes in the coming weeks.
My expert perspective
From a technical standpoint, implementing mass scanning of encrypted traffic without compromising security is a nearly impossible task. However, Brussels' political will is clear: regulators are ready to sacrifice confidentiality to combat illegal content. For investors in privacy-focused blockchains and anonymity-oriented projects, this is a signal to strengthen legal protection and reconsider the architecture of their solutions. The market must prepare for the possibility that the "right to privacy" in the EU may significantly narrow in the coming months.