Plans to scan smartphone apps for evidence of child sex abuse 'doomed to be ineffective' 

The EC has proposed a new law aimed at stopping the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and the grooming of children by allowing national authorities to compel providers of smartphone apps and online services to scan individual devices.

A group of scientists and researchers have sharply criticised European Commission plans to scan smartphone apps for evidence of child sexual abuse as “doomed to be ineffective”.

The EC has proposed a new law aimed at stopping the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and the grooming of children by allowing national authorities to compel providers of smartphone apps and online services to scan individual devices.