# Chatcontrol proposal would require AI scanning of photos and links in messaging apps

DevFeed: [Chatcontrol proposal would require AI scanning of photos and links in messaging apps](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/chatcontrol-2025-edition-in-brief-36286.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/chatcontrol-in-brief/>)

Published: 2025-08-17T12:30:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Bert Hubert's writings](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/bert-hubert-s-writings.md>)

Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [Meta](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/meta.md>)

Tags: [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/database.md>), [eu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/eu.md>), [facebook](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/facebook.md>), [meta](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/meta.md>), [surveillance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/surveillance.md>), [whatsapp](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/whatsapp.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues that a proposed EU child-exploitation regulation could require messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal to use AI to scan users' photos and links. It says suspected material and associated details could be reported to a new EU Centre, Europol and local police, while warning that the proposal's consequences and safeguards are not fully specified.

## Source excerpt

In short, led by Denmark, many EU member states are arguing for forcing WhatsApp/Signal/etc to inspect all our photos and links, using AI. If the AI is in any "doubt" if this might be child pornography, your photo, location, phone number & other details get reported to a new "EU Centre" and thence to Europol and a local police force. What happens next is not specified, but your holiday in Cyprus might end up with you having to explain your photos over at the local police station.