European Parliament vote creates legal vacuum in battle against online child abuse

Vote sounded death knell for a system which was far from perfect, but which allowed for some limited monitoring by tech companies of online child sexual abuse material

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 - 01:00

The death knell has been sounded for a system which was far from perfect but allowed for limited monitoring tech companies of online child sexual abuse material, writes Noeline Blackwell

Right up to the last possible minute, there was some hope the voices of children and those who advocate and work for and with them would be heard. But a vote in the European Parliament on Thursday, March 26, probably sounded the death knell for a system which was far from perfect, but which allowed for some limited monitoring by tech companies of online child sexual abuse material.

From Good Friday, April 3, tech companies will no longer have legal permission to carry out the current monitoring. A legal vacuum will be created. And children will be at greater risk of harm online than ever.