A diverse group of hundreds of scientists from over 30 countries have expressed their concerns over the EU Commission’s chat control project. In open letters addressed to the members of the EU Parliament and EU member states, these scientists argue against the planned ban on effective encryption and the proposal to bug all end devices for Client Side Scanning (CSS).
The researchers highlight that such measures would not be successful with current or foreseeable technology and would pose considerable risks. They argue that these policies would undermine the work done by European researchers in IT security and data protection, including contributions to the development of global encryption standards. Furthermore, they suggest that implementing such measures would weaken the environment for security and privacy work in Europe, limiting the ability to build a secure digital society.
Additionally, the researchers emphasize that European chat control could set an example for internet filters and access restrictions worldwide, ultimately stripping away individuals’ tools to protect their right to privacy in the digital space. They argue that while these measures may be beneficial for autocratic regimes, they would be detrimental for democracies.
The proposed method of monitoring, using spyware to search for known content through hash values, raises concerns about transparency and potential misuse. The researchers point out that once the software is in place, governments could expand their surveillance to search for other types of content, such as terrorism-related materials or critical statements about the government. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for individuals to know what the software is reporting back to authorities.
The EU Commission’s plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) to search for previously unknown depictions of child abuse in text messages and telephone calls is also questioned by the experts. They argue that the implementation of such technology is not compatible with data protection or human rights, citing an evaluation by the UK Home Office.
The researchers warn that these surveillance measures would result in an avalanche of false alarms, particularly among children. Highly intimate but legal content would constantly be forwarded to authorities, overwhelming their resources. They argue that acceptable error rates can only be achieved through focused monitoring of specific suspected cases, rather than mass surveillance.
The scientists propose that the funds required for mass surveillance should be invested in preventing child abuse, primarily at the local level. They suggest that it would be more effective to create easier channels for reporting suspicious content on social networks, which has led to the discovery of new illegal material in the past.
The open letter is inviting researchers from around the world to join as signatories. It currently includes scientists from various countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and many others.
