Child protection • Table.Briefings

April 16th, 2026

Age verification: EU Commission presents blueprint

Ursula von der Leyen is calling on member states to use the EU’s age verification app to ensure a uniform solution. The app is designed to be particularly privacy-friendly.

By Corinna Visser

Voting-Session European Parliament: Thumps down.

News | Child protection

March 27th, 2026

Voluntary chat monitoring: Parliament votes against extending the exemption

The European Parliament has rejected an extension of the exemption from the ePrivacy Regulation. This means that the option for platform operators to voluntarily monitor chats for abusive content will end on April 3.

By Corinna Visser

Abstimmung im Plenum des Europäischen Parlaments.

Feature | Chat control

March 26th, 2026

Chat monitoring: The European Parliament faces another vote with an uncertain outcome

The European Parliament is voting again today on voluntary chat monitoring, even though the trilogue negotiations have already failed. The outcome is uncertain, as there is no unified position even within the political groups.

By Corinna Visser

Child concentrating on homework and distance learning at home.

News | Child protection

March 18th, 2026

Chat monitoring ends on April 3, 2024: Parliament faces criticism

Negotiations on the ePrivacy exemption have failed. While some warn of a vacuum in the fight against child abuse, others see an opportunity for greater data protection.

By Corinna Visser

oy wearing wireless headphones and using smart phone sitting on hammock at park model released, Symbolfoto,, 307.2024

News | Child protection

March 17th, 2026

Chat monitoring: Bid to extend exemption fails

The Council and the European Parliament remain at odds over the controversial chat monitoring measures. Time is running out – the transitional regulation expires on April 3.

By Marion Bergermann

News | Child protection

March 12th, 2026

Chat monitoring: Parliament extends exemption and limits scans

The Greens see the parliamentary compromise as a move away from the indiscriminate mass surveillance of chat content. However, the extension of the exemption from the ePrivacy Regulation yet another interim step.

By Corinna Visser

Web pages hosting child sex abuse imagery - figures. File photo dated 04/03/17 of a child's hand pressing a key of a laptop keyboard. Record levels of web pages hosting child sexual abuse imagery were discovered in 2024, a leading online safety organisation has said.

News | Child protection

March 9th, 2026

Online child protection: EU Parliament votes on extension of exemption to ePrivacy Directive

The LIBE Committee had surprisingly rejected the extension of the interim regulation. The plenary session is now expected to correct this “accident” so that providers can continue to voluntarily detect abusive material.

By Corinna Visser

Feature | Child protection

February 11th, 2026

Action plan to counter cyberbullying: High-pressure problem, limited impact

The EU Commission has presented an action plan to counter cyberbullying. The plan bundles together existing measures and focuses on preventative approaches, but there are no binding minimum standards.

By Corinna Visser

Die Influencer Tobias Wolf und Maren Wolf bewerben in einer Weihnachtsaktion bei McDonalds den neuen McBernd anlässlich des Kinostarts von "Stromberg - Alles wie immer". Köln, 05.12.2025

News | Digital policy

December 22nd, 2025

Digital Fairness Act: Consultation shows support for greater consumer protection in the digital marketplace

The EU Commission intends to present its proposal for the Digital Fairness Act at the end of 2026. A public consultation report demonstrates broad support for binding rules, particularly for dark patterns and addictive designs.

By Corinna Visser

News | CSA-VO

December 5th, 2025

Chat control: Brunner sides with the Parliament

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner supports the Parliament in the dispute over chat control. He criticizes the Council’s position, but is pleased that the trilogue can now begin.

By Corinna Visser