Current status: They don’t do it mandatory, which actually doesn’t mean, that the users have the choice in their hands, if the provider wants to do it voluntarily. If Whatsapp wants to scan everything, they’ll be allowed to.

So, this is probably the best time to start using Threema oder Signal, because they already announced that they would stop business in EU if Chat Control actually gets pushed through, which is trustworthy in my opinion.

Also interesting: https://netzpolitik.org/2025/interne-dokumente-eu-staaten-einigen-sich-auf-freiwillige-chatkontrolle/

However, the compromise proposal that was formulated was contradictory. It had deleted the article on mandatory chat monitoring. However, another article stated that services should also implement voluntary measures.

Several states asked whether this wording “could lead to a de facto obligation.” The Legal Services agreed: “The wording could be interpreted in both ways.” The Council Presidency “made it clear that the text only contained an obligation to reduce risk, but not an obligation to disclose.”

The day after the meeting, the Council Presidency sent out what is likely to be the final draft of the Council’s legislation. It explicitly states: “Nothing in this Regulation shall be interpreted as imposing disclosure obligations on providers.”

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

But I feel, this is not the end, like always.