An anonymous reader has shared a report about a Danish software engineer’s initiative that is causing significant disruption to the EU’s proposed measures against child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Joachim, a 30-year-old software engineer living in Aalborg, Denmark, created the website ‘Fight Chat Control’ after learning about the EU’s attempt to approve a new bill to combat CSAM online. The legislation, which is viewed as an effort to prevent the spread of illegal content, has faced criticism from privacy advocates who argue that it could undermine encryption and lead to mass surveillance.
The website allows visitors to compile and send mass emails to national officials and MEPs, which has caused a major logistical challenge for those involved in the legislative process. Since its launch, the site has overwhelmed the inboxes of MEPs, generating a wave of responses and raising concerns about the potential impact of the bill on digital privacy. Evin Incir, a Swedish Socialists and Democrats MEP, shared that they are receiving hundreds of emails daily, indicating the campaign’s significant reach.
The spam campaign has sparked a broader debate on balancing security needs with digital privacy rights. While the EU’s efforts are aimed at protecting children from online abuse, critics argue that the proposed regulations could set a dangerous precedent for government surveillance. As the debate continues, the situation highlights the challenges of regulating online spaces without compromising fundamental privacy rights.