Policy monitor · Updated July 28, 2026
EU Chat Control Monitor
A disciplined tracker of the EU's temporary voluntary-scanning derogation and the separate permanent regulation to prevent and combat online child sexual abuse.
Executive status
Two legal tracks must not be confused
Temporary measure
Reinstated through April 3, 2028
The earlier derogation expired on April 3, 2026. The European Parliament adopted a position to reinstate it on July 9, and the Council gave final approval on July 23. The measure permits providers to resume voluntary detection, reporting, and removal of child sexual abuse material.
Permanent regulation
Negotiations remain ongoing
The long-term Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse remains under the ordinary legislative procedure. The Council and Parliament are still negotiating the permanent framework.
Legislative timeline
Key institutional actions
Previous temporary derogation expired
The 2021 interim measure, extended in 2024, lapsed and created a legal gap for voluntary scanning.
Permanent-regulation trilogue continued
Negotiators met on the long-term CSAR proposal; subsequent Council documents described the outcome and next steps.
Council adopted its position on reinstatement
The Council sought a new temporary measure running until April 3, 2028.
European Parliament adopted its position
Parliament approved the reinstatement text with amendments.
Council gave final approval
The temporary measure was cleared for publication in the Official Journal and entry into force three days later.
What the monitor tracks
Decision-relevant distinctions
Institutional status
Which institution has acted, what legal instrument is involved, and whether the action is a negotiating mandate, provisional agreement, or final adoption.
Technology and rights
How proposals affect encrypted communications, age verification, voluntary detection, risk-mitigation duties, oversight, and redress.
Temporary versus permanent law
The temporary ePrivacy derogation is a bridge measure. The permanent CSAR proposal is a separate legislative file with broader obligations.
Revision triggers
The page is revised when the Official Journal publishes the final temporary regulation or when Parliament and Council reach a verified agreement on the permanent proposal.
Primary record
Source library
- Council final approval of the reinstated interim measure — July 23, 2026
- Council position on reinstatement — July 2, 2026
- Council policy page and current status of both legal tracks
- EUR-Lex procedure 2022/0155/COD — permanent CSAR proposal
Method: official institutional records are the baseline. Advocacy groups, technical researchers, and reporting may be added only when the underlying claim is clearly attributed and independently checkable.