Council backs reinstatement of interim online child abuse detection rule

The Council has adopted its position on a regulation that would allow online service providers to resume voluntary detection and removal of child sexual abuse material on their platforms. The text is designed as an interim measure while a long-term legislative framework is still being negotiated.

Sponsored

The Council said the rule should enter into force as soon as possible. It described the measure as a temporary derogation from data protection rules in the electronic communications sector, allowing providers to detect online child sexual abuse on their services and to report and remove it.

Irish Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Minister Jim O'Callaghan said the Council position paves the way for online service providers to resume efforts to detect child sexual abuse online and report it to police. He said the aim is to identify children at risk, bring offenders to justice and prevent further abuse.

The Council said the previous interim measure expired on 3 April 2026 and that it wants a new temporary measure reinstated until 3 April 2028. It said the arrangement is needed to avoid a prolonged legal gap pending adoption and application of the long-term framework currently under negotiation.

Sponsored

The Council position now goes to the European Parliament for second reading, where lawmakers can approve, amend or reject it. The text also notes that the earlier interim regulation was agreed in 2021 and extended once in 2024 for two years, before lapsing on 3 April 2026.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on 18 June 2026 that it was time to move on with the proposal for interim rules and look for political agreement.

#childabuse #datastection #europeanparliament #council #robertametsola

Sponsored